It wasn’t that long ago when it seem as if hearing the term Peritoneal Dialysis or PD wasn’t something we were too familiar with even those of us who were being treated for kidney failure. After all despite the fact that this technology that made it possible to do dialysis treatments in the home came out in the seventies and started to take off more in the eighties, it was still something that only a choice few had the option of using. That was with good reason despite the fact that it was a convenient thing to do it had its limitation since the equipment still had limitations of how to use it. As time went on and technology got better PD machines started to become more accessible and more compact.
The Automated Peritoneal Dialysis Machine
The automated peritoneal dialysis machine such as the one put out by Baxter have taken home dialysis to the next level. A Baxter Dialysis Machine provides patients the opportunity to take the dialysis for nine hours straight most conveniently at night while sleeping. The process is done in a unique way that makes the treatment painless and efficient. Basically what is done is that during the process the machine will fill the patient with dialysis fluid while filtering out unwanted waste. Although, the process is usually done to a patient at night, keep in mind that no two individuals are alike and a doctor could have other orders as to when the dialysis should take place.
Equipment and Supplies
Besides the APD machine there are other equipment and supplies that will be needed while doing the home dialysis treatment. Usually when a person is assigned to go through these treatments at home they will have a home health agency assigned to make sure that the individual and caregiver understand how to use equipment. They will also monitor the process along with making sure that all supplies are provided as needed. These supplies that are used with the APD machine are as follows:
Mask: required during hook up to keep mouth and nose from taking in any unwanted bacteria while machine is in use. Large Bags of PD fluid: In one session about two to three bags can be used to properly complete the process. Drain bag and drain line: both of these are used in removing the unwanted waste from the body. Once waste is removed it can be disposed of in the bathroom toilet. Cassette and Tubing: The different tubes used in the process are properly organized within what is known as the cassette. This equipment plays a key role in transferring the PD solution to the individual and removing the waste.
Documenting Treatment: Some of the PD dialysis machines have an internal computer that logs all the information about each treatment. The home health nurse will inform a patient at the time about how the information is being logged, this is important to ensure that their doctor receives the data. The bottom line, dialysis has become more convenient thanks to the fact that Peritoneal Dialysis is becoming more prominent. Suddenly having to go through this treatment no longer controls a person’s life but is something they can now work into their schedule.