Home Connection
years first in the world
Volume 3, Issue 3 · Fall 2012
Prevent infections to keep yourself safe
HH
PD
Infection means that germs are attacking your body, which can’t fight back as well as it should because you have kidney disease. Infection can cause serious illness and death – it is the second leading cause of death for dialysis patients. To keep yourself safe:
1. Use liquid antibacterial soap in the original container. (Germs can live on bar soap.) 2. Scrub for 30 seconds. 3. Scrub finger tips, around nails and between fingers. 4. Dry well with paper towels. (Germs like dampness.)
1. Keep up to date with vaccines, which help your body build protection from infection. Ask your doctor what you need. Northwest Kidney Centers provides vaccines for the flu, hepatitis B and streptococcus pneumonia. 2. Use hand sanitizer when you come to the unit – once when you enter and once again when you leave. If you are sick, wear a mask.
Wash your hands like a pro
Prevent dry skin Rough, dry skin traps and holds germs more than smooth skin. Use lotion to keep your hands from getting too dry.
Good habits in home dialysis helped Dashion Gore stay healthy for his kidney transplant.
3. Frequently wash any blankets, pillows or items that you use often. Use bleach if there are blood stains. 4. Always wash your hands. Your hands can carry thousands of germs. Always wash your hands before doing your exit site care and before making connections and disconnections for your treatment. 5. Notify your doctor and the unit if you see redness, swelling, or pus oozing from the access exit site area, or if you have pain at the access site, chills or a fever greater than 100˚ F.
Our pharmacy delivers Our friendly staff can fill prescriptions for all your medications. Delivery is free.
Phone 206-343-4870 Toll-free 800-947-8902 pharmacy@nwkidney.org
Home Connection
2
PD Intermittent Peritoneal Dialysis is available in center
New training manuals to help you live well with home dialysis
The IPD program offers respite for care givers of PD patients. Qualifying patients, with the consent of their doctor, can receive care at Northwest Kidney Centers’ Renton or Seattle clinic while their care givers are away. Transportation is available. For more information, contact Alice Chamberlin at 206-720-3976 or alice.chamberlin@nwkidney.org. HH PD
We have completely revised and updated your home dialysis training manuals. The new manuals, called Living Well with PD and Living Well with Home Hemodialysis, are designed to be easier to read. The manuals cover topics in a one-page format that is simple to understand, to help you improve your quality of life. If you would like a new manual, please contact your primary nurse.
You can get treatment in a center if your PD helper is away.
HH PD
We want to hear from you! Open communication is important to make sure you get the best quality support and feel safe. We always benefit from and use your feedback. Use our updated Comment Program to send us your suggestions, compliments, comments and questions. Forms are available at any dialysis center.
What's on your mind? Let us know.
If you have a complaint, please talk to your nurse manager, who will help you resolve it. If you need assistance to talk with your manager, contact Sonja Coffman, patient relations coordinator, at 206-720-8518 or sonja.coffman@nwkidney.org.
Home Connection
3
HH PD
After hours on-call nurse is always available You can reach a nurse by telephone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Northwest Kidney Centers peritoneal dialysis unit: 206-292-2285 or 1-877-292-2285 Northwest Kidney Centers home hemodialysis unit: 206-292-2558 or 1-877-216-2558 If we are closed and you reach the answering service:
HH PD
PD and home hemo support group Next monthly meeting: Wednesday, Sept. 19 5 - 6:30 p.m. Northwest Kidney Centers Renton 602 Oakesdale Ave. SW, Renton
Topic: Meaningful activities Get resources and discuss your experiences with employment, volunteer activities, hobbies, vocational rehabilitation and more.
RSVP
4 Let them know you are a home dialysis patient or are calling about a home dialysis patient.
Jennifer Hurley 206-720-3984 or jennifer.hurley@nwkidney.org
4 Ask to speak to the nurse on call.
Jessica Pitts 425-203-5235 or jessica.pitts@ nwkidney.org
4 Tell them if you are currently dialyzing. 4 Give your name (or patient’s name) and your phone number. You will be connected directly to the on-call nurse or be told to expect a call back. Stay by the phone. We will return your call within 15 minutes. If you are unsure whether you should call, remember that catching a problem early can save you from becoming ill and possibly needing hospitalization. You can also check the Problem Guide in your PD or home hemo manual to help decide if you should call. For questions about appointments and supplies, or to leave a message for your nurse, call the numbers above during normal business hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For NxStage or PureFlow technical support, call NxStage at 1-866-697-8243. For PD cycler machine problems, call Baxter at 1-800-553-6898.
Tell Us Your Story Read about others who have walked in your shoes. Then share your Northwest Kidney Centers experience.
www.facesofnwkidney.org
www.nwkidney.org pr@nwkidney.org 206-292-2771
Home hemodialysis unit: 206-292-2558 or 1-877-216-2558 Peritoneal dialysis unit: 206-292-2285 or 1-877-292-2285
years first in the world
Join us on Facebook and Twitter. Hear the latest news as it happens!
Northwest Kidney Centers promotes the optimal health, quality of life and independence of people with kidney disease through patient care, education and research.
NON PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE
Mark your calendar!
PAID
700 Broadway • Seattle WA 98122
Nov. 9: What’s Not in the Book: reunion and storytelling 2 p.m., 700 Broadway, Seattle
SEATTLE WA PERMIT NO 3768
Return Service Requested
Nov. 10: Beyond the Horizon: Public research symposium 8:30 a.m., 700 Broadway, Seattle Nov. 10: 50th Anniversary Gala, 5:30 p.m., Grand Hyatt, Seattle
Transforming 700 Broadway –
our 50th anniversary project
Please join us in supporting the Transforming 700 Broadway renovation project to create a unique, comprehensive kidney resource center. Your opportunity to donate Now you can join with others to help us transform this 40,000-square-foot building into a space that will help lead the way to better care for people with kidney disease. For information contact: Larry Richards, Gift Planning Officer larry.richards@nwkidney.org 206-720-8550
Designate your gift to Transforming 700 Broadway today!