Dialysis Access Care Guide
A dialysis access needs ongoing care from creation to daily checks, stenosis treatment and urgent salvage. Learning its usual thrill makes it easier to notice problems early.
Is your dialysis access taking longer to stop bleeding? →
Consider bleeding time together with the thrill, dialysis flow and ultrasound.
Does a narrowed access need angioplasty? →
Assess the thrill, dialysis performance and ultrasound together.
Check the access thrill every day →
Do not wait if the thrill weakens or disappears.
Daily dialysis access care →
Look, feel and notice changes every day.
What I want patients to know
- A continuous gentle thrill is usually expected.
- An absent thrill, sudden swelling, cold painful fingers or infection needs prompt assessment.
- Do not allow blood pressure measurement or blood draws from the access arm.