I create policy for a major regional airline. I have recently been approached with the question of whether we accept Dialysis Machines. I was under the impression that Dialysis Machines were not portable and that patients had to go to the hospital for the procedure. I realize that that may be very outdated and there may be new technologies available of which I am not aware. If someone could please e-mail me at cgriggs@comair.com , and let me know the types of equipment that I could expect to see and where I can research whether the device is considered a hazardous material (under 49CFR) for transportation purposes. Thank you very much.
Christina Griggs
Methods Analyst
Comair, Inc.
cgriggs@comair.com

not sure I am answering your question but, if someone is looking to ship a machine they will typically pack it in a disinfectant. The disinfectant is usually a formaldehyde/glycerine mixture, I believe.

Equipment manufacturers should be able to answer your questions ..... I would contact them & get it right from the horse's mouth!

christina - there are 2 kinds of dialysis. hemodialysis which requires a large cumbersome machine. these typically do not get shipped anywhere with a patient. in the old days there was a device called the redi which could be shipped, but they aren't around anymore. the other kind of dialysis is called continuous ambulatory peritioneal dialysis. which is done by the patient to themselves. it requires a machine packed in a small suitcaseand has no hazardous chemicals connected to the device. it does require a solution paced in bags sized from 2 to 5 liters. but they are not a hazardous substance. if you have any questions please e-mail me at schoellhornr@kidneycare.com

quote:

Originally posted by Christina Griggs:
I create policy for a major regional airline. I have recently been approached with the question of whether we accept Dialysis Machines. I was under the impression that Dialysis Machines were not portable and that patients had to go to the hospital for the procedure. I realize that that may be very outdated and there may be new technologies available of which I am not aware. If someone could please e-mail me at cgriggs@comair.com , and let me know the types of equipment that I could expect to see and where I can research whether the device is considered a hazardous material (under 49CFR) for transportation purposes. Thank you very much.
Christina Griggs
Methods Analyst
Comair, Inc.
cgriggs@comair.com