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- Hemodialysis catheters, both implanted and non-implanted, are often used as �bridge� devices until a patient's AV graft or native fistula is ready to be used. But if the catheter inadvertently separates from the venous blood line or is otherwise compromised, serious patient injury can occur. FDA has received a number of reports describing hemodialysis catheters that have separated, leaked, cracked, torn, or broken. These catheter problems have led to patient infections, air embolisms, blood loss, and even death. A recent FDA article in the journal Nursing2007 describes one case where a patient's venous blood line separated from the catheter about ten minutes after starting dialysis. Shortly after the venous blood line was clamped, the patient complained of shortness of breath. Despite swift and appropriate intervention, the patient died of an air embolism. Here are some precautions: � Use the vascular access site only for hemodialysis. � Use luer connections or tape with hemodialysis catheters and tubing as your facility's protocol indicates. � During dialysis, monitor catheters and arterial and venous blood line tubing for cracks, tears, or breaks of the catheter hub or luer connection. Remember, alarms may not sound if a catheter separates from the venous blood line, because the alarm triggers only when the pressure in the venous blood line falls below the limit set by the user. � Make sure the catheter site remains visible during treatment. Remove sheets and blankets if necessary. � If a catheter separates from the blood line tubing, or the integrity of the catheter is compromised in any other way, follow the facility's policy for preventing air embolism and infection, including clamping the line immediately. FDA Patient Safety News: June 2007 For more information,
- Tags Hemodialysis Catheters
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