What is done during vascular access maintenance?

During vascular access maintenance, monitoring for signs of infection is crucial to ensure the health and safety of the patient undergoing dialysis. This process includes observing the access site for redness, swelling, increased temperature, or discharge, all of which can indicate an infection. Early detection and response to these signs are vital in preventing complications, such as systemic infections or sepsis, which can arise from an infected access site.

While catheter insertions, adjusting dialysis machine settings, and administering medications are important aspects of dialysis procedures, they are not part of the ongoing maintenance of vascular access. Instead, vascular access maintenance focuses specifically on the care and monitoring of the access point used for treatment, ensuring it remains functional and free of infection.