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Continuous Ambulatory
Peritoneal Dialysis
The information here
is given as a guide only and patients are advised to seek further information
from their own doctor.
An Introduction to
CAPD
| C Continuous |
Dialysis
carries on all the time. |
| A Ambulatory |
Unlike
Haemodialysis you can move around as normal and carry out your daily
activities. |
| P Peritoneal |
An enclosed
layer of tissue where Dialysis takes place. The Peritoneal surrounds your
intestines. |
| D Dialysis |
Dialysis
removes waste products from your blood. |
CAPD Takes place inside the body using the natural
lining of the abdomen called the Peritoneum. The Peritoneum acts as the
dialysis membrane. In order to do your dialysis by CAPD you will need to have a
small operation (which takes place under a local or general anaesthetic) to
insert a CD Catheter into your abdomen.
CAPD is done at home, usually 4
times every day. It takes less than 30 minutes each time and is a very simple,
painless procedure. Because dialysis is carried out at home patients must be
able and willing to take the major responsibility for their own care.
All the equipment you need is delivered to your home including the
dialysis bags which are delivered in boxes. You will therefore need plenty of
storage room to stack them. A dry garage or similar outbuilding is ideal or
alternatively you could use part of a spare room in your house. If you have
limited space it's best to discuss this with your CAPD nurse.
The
following diagram shows all the important parts needed for CAPD dialysis.
Treliske Renal Unit uses equipment which is manufactured by Baxter
Healthcare.
When you do your CAPD you will firstly need to drain off
the Waste Products into the lower Bag. You then drain in the fresh Dialysis
Solution from the top bag and into the Peritoneal Cavity. This is called an
"Exchange" - fresh fluid replacing old. The Dialysis Solution, which is called
Dialysate, is left in your body for about 5 hours and during that time it does
the work your kidney used to do. After 5 hours you simply repeat the process.
You can adjust the times you do your dialysis to suit your own daily routine.
You needn't feel you are tied to a clock.
You will receive expert
training from your CAPD nurse which will give you all the expertise and
confidence you need to be happily independant. Of course you will always have
the support and advice of the Renal Unit when needed. In between doing your
CAPD you can lead a normal active, working life.
General
Information
Heating your Dialysis
Bags
The Dialysis Fluid is warmed for comfort only.
Baxter Healthcare supply you with an excellent regulated unit. You simply place
the bag you are going to use next on the unit and it will warm to a comfortable
temperature in about 45 minutes. To save forgetting most people prefer to put
their next bag on the heating unit when they are doing their Solo Echange
procedure. It's also a good idea to keep a 'back up bag' in your airing
cupboard just in case there is a rare problem with one of the bags (it saves
waiting 45 minutes for another bag to warm up!).
Disposal of used fluid in Waste Bag and disposal of the empty
Dialysis Bags
Used fluid is poured down the toilet. Simply
cut the Bag with scissors, used only for this purpose, and empty the
contents down the loo.
The used Dialysis Bags are 'Clinical Waste'. The
Renal Unit will contact the local authority for you and arrange for free yellow
coloured clinical waste bags to be delivered to your home (usually four a week.
You will need only two bags but they need to be double wrapped). They will also
arrange for a free weekly collection of the full bags.
Flatten your
cardboard boxes (see diagram on the box) and put out for your regular rubbish
collection.
Please click on the links below for further CAPD
info.
Weight & Fluid
Balance
| Clean Procedures : Infection | General
Info |
