Site Map

Hemodialysis access - self care

Kidney failure - chronic-hemodialysis access; Renal failure - chronic-hemodialysis access; Chronic renal insufficiency - hemodialysis access; Chronic kidney failure - hemodialysis access; Chronic renal failure - hemodialysis access; Dialysis - hemodialysis access

I Would Like to Learn About:

Description

Vascular access (often called just "access") is needed for you to get hemodialysis. Using the access, blood is removed from your body, cleaned by a dialyzer, then returned to your body.

Usually the access is put in a person's arm. But it can also go in your leg. Depending on the type of access, it takes a few weeks to a few months to get an access ready for hemodialysis.

Taking good care of your access helps make it last longer.

Prevent Infection in Your Access

Keep your access clean. Wash the access with soap and water every day to decrease your risk of infection.

Do not scratch your access. If you scratch open your skin at the access, you could get an infection.

To prevent infection:

• Avoid bumping or cutting your access.
• Do not lift anything heavy with the arm with the access.
• Use your access for hemodialysis only.
• Do not let anyone take your blood pressure, draw blood, or start an IV in the arm with the access.

Keep Blood Flowing Through Your Access

To keep blood flowing through the access:

• Do not sleep or lie on the arm with the access.
• Do not wear clothes that are tight around the arms or wrists.
• Do not wear jewelry that is tight around the arms or wrists.

Checking Your Access

Check the pulse in your access arm. You should feel blood rushing through that feels like a vibration. This vibration is called a "thrill."

Have the nurse or technician check your access before every dialysis.

When to Call the Doctor

Contact your health care provider if:

• You have any signs of infection, including redness, pain, pus, drainage, or you have a fever over 101°F (38.3°C).
• You do not feel a thrill at your access.

References

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Hemodialysis. www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidney-failure/hemodialysis. Updated January 2018. Accessed September 11, 2023.

National Kidney Foundation website. Hemodialysis access. www.kidney.org/atoz/content/hemoaccess. Updated 2015. Accessed September 26, 2023.

Yeun JY, Young B, Depner TA, Chin AA. Hemodialysis. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 63.

BACK TO TOP

Review Date: 8/28/2023  

Reviewed By: Walead Latif, MD, Nephrologist and Clinical Associate Professor, Rutgers Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Health Content Provider 06/01/2025

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complied with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information from 1995 to 2022, after which HON (Health On the Net, a not-for-profit organization that promoted transparent and reliable health information online) was discontinued.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2024 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.