Hi,

I am an acute dialysis nurse and wondering if there is a standard way to mark a patient's fistula arm when at the chronic unit if they are to code and sent to the hospital to alert the ambulance or ER staff to stay away from the arm with the fistula or graft? Does the renal network have any type of bands that are used to mark the arms of patient's to help protect them? We are trying to promote the Fistula First program and have unfortunately seen a patient lose a fistula due to a ER nurse not being aware of a maturing fistula in an arm and starting an iv there. Do you have any other suggestions that may already be in place? I am a small program trying to make a difference in about only 10 outpatient clinics - at this point. Thank you for any input. Have a great day.

Laura Bebee BSN, RN

Arrow International Dialysis Products has a blue rubber wrist band for warding off anyone using an arm for IV and Venipuncture access. It's free to all who need it. Call your local Arrow Dialysis Specialist and they will deliver.

thank you.