Starting Dialysis - Fresenius Medical Care 2008K Operator's Manual

Chapter 3—Setting Treatment Parameters

Starting Dialysis

At this point, all treatment parameters and options should be entered. Dialysate should already be
verified for absence of disinfectant, verification of prescription, conductivity, and pH should also
be confirmed. It is now time to connect the patient to the 2008K via the blood tubing and begin
the dialysis treatment.
Note: Follow established unit protocol regarding procedures for establishing aseptic blood
connections.
1. Before starting dialysis, complete the patient assessment per unit policy.
2. Wrap the blood pressure cuff around the patient's non-access arm.
Warning! Be sure the cuff is the correct size and placed at heart level. An improperly fitted
cuff may cause inaccurate blood pressure readings due to under or over compression of the
brachial artery. Each centimeter above or below heart level will cause an error of ± 0.8 mmHg.
3. Verify that ultrafiltration is off (UF light is off), and that the UF Removed button is reset to
zero. The UF removed may be reset by touching UF Removed button and then the 0 key and
confirming the change.
4. Press the blood pump Start/Stop key to stop the pump.
5. Connect patient and initiate treatment according to unit protocol.
Warning! Infusing the patient with recirculated saline is not recommended. Infuse fresh,
sterile saline if required.
Warning! Check all bloodline and dialysate line connections for fluid leaks. Keep access
sites uncovered and monitored. Improper bloodline connections or needle dislodgements can
result in excessive blood loss, serious injury, and death. Machine alarms may not occur in
every blood loss situation.
6. Start the blood pump and adjust the blood flow rate to establish dialysis and the alarm limits.
Establish the prescribed blood flow rate.
7. Touch the TX Clock button and press CONFIRM to start the treatment.
8. Check that the UF/SVS/Heparin are on, if prescribed. If applicable, a blood pressure
measurement is initiated.
Warning! When establishing blood flow, ensure that air will not be infused into the patient.
Warning! Check all bloodlines for kinking. Improper blood flow may cause hemolysis of the
blood.
Caution: If it becomes necessary to replace the concentrate jugs during treatment, turn the
dialysate flow off before attempting to do so to avoid drawing air into the system. Drawing air
into the system can cause the concentrate pumps to malfunction.
80 2008K Operator's Manual rev. K