It is well known that the patients with End Stage Renal Failure (ESRF) are in high risk group for COVID 19 infection. However still you have to continue hemodialysis during COVID 19 infection. Because it is the only hope of your life. However it is mandatory to ensure the safety of both haemodialysis patients and staff during COVID 19 pandemic. Therefore this is a proper guide to get protected when continue haemodialysis during covid 19 infection.
Why Kidney disease patient need regular dialysis?
When you have End Stage Kidney Disease you have to undergo regular hemodialysis. This is to give the continuous kidney functions outside the body. This regular haemodialysis will ensure the proper execratory and other regulatory functions of the kidney.
However the haemodialysis is not a one time process. You have to repeat the dialysis in a regular basis like 3 times a weeks, 2 times a week or else. This regular haemodialysis is done at a hemodialysis center or at the patients own home.
Even in a situation like covid 19 , it is necessary part to continue haemodialysis without interruption.
How to be safe as a hemodialysis patient during COVID 19
Make sure you have safe dialysis center
When you are selecting or continue the hemodialysis during covid pandemic it is essential to find a place with proper infection prevention procedures. Specially it it has separate rooms for the each patient it will be beneficial.
Do not use public transport
Some people prefer the public transport than the private transport systems. This is not a good option for a CKD patient to have there transport during COVID 19. As they are less immune, they can get infected easily. Additionally they have a high mortality rate too.
Therefore find a near place for your haemodialysis. Use a private vehicle to reach the dialysis center.
Use facemasks
Face-mask is an essential item for covid prevention. When you are travelling in a public, you always need to wear a mask and follow necessary infection prevention protocols.
However if you use separate dialysis room, you do not need to wear a mask. But if its a common room, you have to wear a mask.
Practice proper hand washing techniques
Hand washing is alos a mandotory part of covid prevention. When you go away from your home, it is essential to practice hand washing. In addition use hand washing techniques before and after dialysis session.
Inform health staff on warning signs
When you use common dialysis facilities, you are also bound to protect the health of other dialysis patients too. Therefore it is necessary to inform the dialysis center about your warning sings of COVID 19 infection like fever, cough, cold etc.
Avoid the crowded places
When you are continue haemodialysis during covid 19 infection, it is necessary to minimize the exposure to the public. This include all social gatherings, visiting to the public places and etc.
This will avoid unnecessary troubles during covid 19 pandemic and ensure the safe hemodialysis.
How to safeguard the hemodialysis patients as health staff ?
In the corona pandemic we have to be safe whenever we are touching or dealing with patients. You may be doctor, dialysis nurse or dialysis technician attached to a dialysis center, whatever the occupation, you all have to be safe whenever possible.
As an staff member of the dialysis center, you have the responsibility to avoid the spread of covid through your dialysis center. Following guide will help you to continue hemodialysis during covid 19 pandemic.
Always screen the patients before entering to the dialysis center
Whenever a new patient or regular patient come for dialysis all of them has to undergo proper screening questioner to select the risk group of patients. The screening questioner should be covering recent visits, warning symptoms and etc.
Use separate rooms for risk groups
In some dialysis centers, they have the separate dialysis rooms. All the risk group of patients awaiting for dialysis has to inserted to these rooms. This will avoid cross contamination of corona infection.
Always use proper safety precautions during dialysis
Always you have to wear a mask, practice hand washing techniques and etc.
Use PPE when necessary during haemodialysis
When you continue the haemodialysis of the risk group of patients for COVID 19, it is always advisable to use a Personal Protective equipment (PPE). PPE will save you from corona infection while continue haemodialysis during corona pandemic.
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