Help, I Need Dialysis! How to have a good future with kidney disease

Life-long kidney patient educator Dori Schatell, MS, and internationally-known nephrologist Dr. John Agar, MD, explain how dialysis works; each of the ways to do it; and how your treatment choice may affect your diet, energy level, work, travel, sexuality and fertility, sleep, and survival. Comprehensive and fully referenced, this book is a must-read if you face the life-changing choices that come with kidney failure. Paperback, 202 pages.

HemaStrap™

The HemaStrap, by Hema Assistance Products, is a lightweight fabric strap that is comfortable, easy to use, and does not interfere with dialysis or infusion treatment. It is designed to secure and stabilize dialysis/infusion tubing during patient treatment to minimize tugging and painful infiltration.

Our patented strap comes in three (3) different sizes: adult large and small, and youth for pediatrics. The adult sizes (Hemastrap HA 600-077 or HP 540-077)  can be adjusted quickly and easily by marking the hook area of the strap with a soft lead pencil or marker and trimming with scissors, leaving at least 3/4 of an inch of hooking. For most patients, adjustment of the youth Hemastrap (HY 540-077) will not be necessary.

The Hemastrap is designed to be worn around the patient’s wrist by inserting the hook strap through the black D-ring. Secure the strap by folding the hook fasteners, located at the end of the strap, against the felt. Loosen the infusion retainer straps on the dorsal surface of the wrist. After the infusion is started, secure the tubing under the retaining straps.

To place orders or for more information, a HemaStrap representative can be reached at 727-410-0150.

Immobilé

When it comes to securing PD transfer sets, simple is still best. Immobilé is one of the most innovative ways to secure PD transfer sets on the market. It remains the preferred choice for thousands of patients in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. A patented combination of hypoallergenic adhesive together with a Velcro hook-and-loop tab makes Immobilé cost effective, body trim, and very easy to use.

Immobilé was developed from patient requests for a device that not only secured the transfer set but that secured it in such a way as to allow normal active body movement (such as biking or skiing) without concern for the integrity of the set or access. Patients also wanted to eliminate the sticky step of pulling tape off the transfer set three or four times a day when releasing it for an exchange. When care is taken one Immobilé can be used for three days (up to 12 exchanges).

Many people prefer Immobilé to a belt because it is much more body trim, easier to use and yet, very effective.

Immobilé is:

• Easier and more cost effective than tape alone
• More body trim and less bulky than the belt
• Hypoallergenic
• Sterile product
• Available direct or through major distributors’ ancillary catalogs or formularies

Visit our website for more information and instructions for use. Email or call us to request a free sample.

INSTA-STOP® Hemostatic Gauze

INSTA-STOP® Hemostatic Gauze quickly controls and stops bleeding. INSTA-STOP Hemostatic Gauze is made from cotton, and is 100% plant-based with no animal products, eliminating the possibility of an allergic reaction or irritation. The 2x2 gauze pad is designed for dialysis patients, as it controls the bleeding quickly and easily.

When INSTA-STOP hemostatic gauze is applied to a bleeding surface or wound with slight direct pressure, and comes in contact with blood, the blood is instantly absorbed. As the blood is absorbed, and INSTA-STOP expands, it blocks the end of the blood capillary from the injury, which controls and stops bleeding and protects the wound.

INSTA-STOP Hemostatic Gauze is ideal for patients who are taking anti-coagulation medication, patients taking medication with anti-coagulation side effects, and for patients with blood coagulation disorders and reduction in blood platelets.

Features and benefits:

• Simple to use—just simply place it on a bleeding wound
• Adheres to the wound and reduces re-bleeding
• Allow use of both hands to complete bandaging
• Chemical-free, no prescription needed
• Safe for human use and the environment

INSTA-STOP hemostatic gauze products are over-the-counter and have a 3-year shelf life (until opened). For more information, or to purchase INSTA-STOP hemostatic gauze, please call or email us at the numbers below.

Parker Anderson, Inc., designs, develops, patents, markets and sells Hemostatic Gauze products within the INSTA-STOP® brand family. Included in Parker Anderson’s products are INSTA-STOP Hemostatic Gauze nose plugs, dental plugs, and exterior pads. Parker Anderson is building and selling the INSTA-STOP Hemostatic Gauze brand family in various sales channels including the medical, dental, military, sports medicine, veterinarian, and retail markets.

JMS AV Fistula Needles

JMS develops dialysis products promoting the safety and welfare of healthcare workers and patients. JMS provides several brands of AV fistula needles to meet any clinical need. They are proud to offer the following products for dialysis:

SysLoc® Family
The simple and effective design of the SysLoc family allows the needle to retract easily into the hub without the use of any bulky attachments. The SysLoc needle allows you to choose from a wide range of configurations for hemodialysis or apheresis treatments.

WingEater®
The JMS WingEater is our most popular safety AV fistula needle. WingEater provides extraordinary needle-stick protection in an easy-to-use design.

Harmony™
The JMS Harmony needle is for use with previously-established mature access sites using a constant-site (Buttonhole) technique of needle insertion. JMS Harmony needles include an innovative site preparation tool and is specifically designed for home dialysis patients and patients who self-cannulate.

Please contact JMS or one of their distributors for more information. You can also visit their website for video and training manuals.

KidneyAssist™

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) represent a unique population with regard to nutritional requirements and appropriate supplementation. KidneyAssist™ is a daily multivitamin and mineral formula designed to meet the nutritional needs for a specific state of kidney function.

Limiting simple sugars, maintaining ideal body weight, and keeping sodium intake at reasonably low levels can provide additional kidney support. Attention should also be given to the intake of protein, phosphorus, calcium, and other minerals.

NOTE: This product is available only with physician recommendation.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Libre: Lerwick

Libre is dedicated to providing comfortable, functional clothing for dialysis patients. Libre products are developed with the customer in mind as we strive to ease the burden of treatment days. We are committed to giving back to different foundations that work with us to bring ease to these patients’ lives. Our goal is to make each patient’s life a little more “libre”!

The Lerwick is our men’s, half-zip, pull-over sweater, offered in gray or brown. It can be ordered with the access in the right or left arm. An invisible zipper is used to keep the opening discreet and hidden to the common eye, allowing patients to wear the Lerwick more places than just the dialysis center.

Our clothing was designed to meet the unmet needs of patients receiving treatment through port sites. Inspiration comes from our own families as we watch people impacted daily by the life-changing process of dialysis. Our clothing is functional and will keep patients warm and comfortable throughout the day.

Libre: Marlon

Libre is dedicated to providing comfortable, functional clothing for dialysis patients. Libre products are developed with the customer in mind as we strive to ease the burden of treatment days. We are committed to giving back to different foundations that work with us to bring ease to these patients’ lives. Our goal is to make each patient’s life a little more “libre”!

The Marlon is our unisex, half-zip, pull-over sweatshirt, offered in black. It can be ordered with the access in the right or left arm. An invisible zipper is used to keep the opening discreet and hidden to the common eye, allowing patients to wear the Marlon more places than just the dialysis center.

Our clothing was designed to meet the unmet needs of patients receiving treatment through port sites. Inspiration comes from our own families as we watch people impacted daily by the life-changing process of dialysis. Our clothing is functional and will keep patients warm and comfortable throughout the day.

Medical Dignity Garment

Medical Dignity Clothing has been created to offer comfort, modesty, and convenience to anyone who is going through dialysis, chemotherapy, or other infusion treatments.

The Medical Dignity Garment is a classic, white, button-down shirt with flaps and break-away sleeves designed to open directly over the areas that a port or central line would commonly be placed. Since most infusion treatments are administered in a common room with very little to no privacy, it eliminates the concern of the patient being exposed during treatment.

The Medical Dignity Garment is available in sizes for men, women, and children, and can be ordered online or over the phone.

MyMedSchedule™

MyMedSchedule™ is a great medication reminder and is free! Your personal medication chart clearly shows the times you should take each medicine or supplement, and how much to take. There are even images of your pills so there is no confusion.

You can place a medication chart where you will most need it: either on the refrigerator, or in your bedroom or bathroom. And if you travel, or are just out for the day at work or shopping, you can take the wallet-size MyMedSchedule list with you.

With MyMedSchedule, you even have an easy way to share your medication list with all of your doctors and dentist, and the schedule is readily available in case of an emergency. One MyMedSchedule.com user tells us, “My doctors love it when I bring my chart to each visit so they can quickly see everything I am taking.”

Try this free program by going to www.mymedschedule.com. You can start with your current meds, and easily update your medications as often as you need. You can even create a schedule for your other family members.

You can rest easy as your medical information remains secure with MyMedSchedule. Your personal health information is protected by SSL encryption, and will not be redistributed or resold.