Hemodialysis is a treatment used when your kidneys fail (Stage 5 Kidney Disease) and can no longer clean your blood and remove extra fluid from your body. A hemodialysis access or vascular access is a way to reach your blood for hemodialysis.

The catheter used for hemodialysis is a tunneled catheter because it is placed under the skin. There are two types of tunneled catheters: cuffed or non-cuffed. Non-cuffed tunneled catheters are used for emergencies and for short periods (up to 3 weeks). Tunneled cuffed catheters, a type recommended by the NKF for temporary access, can be used for longer than 3 weeks when:

• An AV fistula or graft has been placed but is not yet ready for use.
• There are no other options for permanent access. For example, when a patient’s blood vessels are not strong enough for a fistula or graft.

Catheters have two openings inside; one is a red (arterial) opening to draw blood from your vein and out of your body into the dialysis pathway and the other is a blue (venous) opening that allows cleaned blood to return to your body.

By taking good care of your access, it will last longer and you will prevent problems such as infection and clotting. Here are some important steps to take:

• Keep the catheter dressing clean and dry.
• Make sure the area of the insertion site is clean and your care team changes the dressing at each dialysis session.
• Keep an emergency dressing kit at home, in case you need to change your dressing in between treatments. Ask your dialysis care team to teach you how to change dressings in an emergency.
• Never remove the cap on the end of your catheter. Air must not enter the catheter.
• You can shower or bathe if you have a clear dressing that sticks to your catheter site and the skin around it.  This type of dressing is recommended because it’s water proof, which helps prevent infection.  And because it’s clear, you can see signs of infection.  You should avoid letting the catheter or catheter site go under water during a bath.  This would increase the chance of moisture getting near the catheter site, which can cause infection.     
• Wear a mask over your nose and mouth anytime the catheter is opened to prevent bacteria from entering the catheter and your bloodstream. Professionals changing the dressing should wear a mask and gloves as well.
• The caps and the clamps of your catheter should be kept tightly closed when not being used for dialysis. Only your care team should use your dialysis catheter to draw blood or to give medications or fluids.
• If the area around your catheter feels sore or looks red, call your dialysis care team at once. Ask your dialysis team about signs and symptoms that require immediate attention.
• Know your Kt/V and URR (urea reduction ratio). Kt/V and URR are numbers that tell you how much dialysis you are getting. The guidelines recommends using Kt/V. If you are receiving enough dialysis, your Kt/V should be at least 1.2. If URR is used, it should be 65 % or more. If your numbers are too low, one possible cause may be that your access is not working well. Ask your dialysis team to check your access.

Sometimes, even when you are very careful, your access may clot or become infected.

Clots can form inside the opening of the catheter or form on the outside of the catheter and block the opening. This can cause blood to flow at a slower rate than the rate your doctor ordered. If the blood flow rate remains low for more than one dialysis treatment, the catheter should be checked and treated the same day. Early treatment may prevent the clot from totally blocking the catheter. It is important to restore the recommended blood flow rate and treat clots that are forming so that your catheter continues to work well and you get the amount of dialysis you need.

Infection can also occur even with a good blood flow rate. It is important to follow your catheter care instructions, exactly as you were taught, in order to avoid infection. You should know the following signs and symptoms of a catheter infection and report them to your doctor or dialysis team right away, so you can get the proper treatment as quickly as possible. The signs and symptoms of a catheter infection include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Drainage from the catheter exit site
• Redness or tenderness around the catheter exit site
• General feeling of weakness and illness

Treatment depends on the type of infection but may include:

1. An ointment applied directly to the infected area if it is an exit site infection.
2. Antibiotic medication if there is drainage from the exit site.
3. An intravenous IV antibiotic (a solution containing an antibiotic that is administered directly into a vein) if the infection has spread to the blood.