After more than 18 months on the Claria, and numerous adjustments to the machine setting, we are still getting low drain or check patient line alerts several times a night. We need a review of alerts and settings by an expert problem solver! Any suggestions?
Still hoping for advice. Any suggestions beforre we go back to manual.
I’m perplexed. As I understand it, a low drain alarm means the machine needs to drain more. If the machine knows that, why doesn’t it just do it? Why must I wake up, and press the red and green buttons?
What can I do, to instruct the machine to just automatically drain more when that is needed?
You need to have your nurse adjust your settings. If you’re getting consistent alarms your setting should be adjusted. No one should have alarms. If your nurse doesn’t have a solution; Baxter reps can assist them to learn
“No one should have alarms.” I agree. It should not be necessary for a nurse to discover a solution. (Mine could not.) She called a Baxter rep, and did not get a solution that worked. Again, it should not be necessary for a Baxter rep to discover a solution.
Why won’t Baxter just remove the alarm?
What state are you located in an area? I will reach out to the Baxter team and get this handled. This is the sort of situation where wonderful people end up back on manuals because the nurse isn’t solving your problems. You can just email me privately if you would prefer josh@premier-dialysis.com. I became a dialysis nurse to assist people and I am happy to get your nurse the help she needs via Baxter support
I’m in Silver Spring, Maryland.
I don’t think my nurse should require any support to solve this problem. The problem should not exist. There should not be an alarm ever, should there?
The reason the alarms happen is because each of us has a different body. A different peritoneal membrane; a different body composition that reacts differently to the dextrose or Extraneal. The reason there are settings is to adjust it to meet each person individual internal needs. It’s a good thing that they have the settings so they can do it just right for you. I reached out to Baxter before you got the information so now I can share it and narrow it down! Stay tuned for some help!!
Here’s the sequence of events:
- Low drain occurs for some reason (body position, constipation, …).
- The machine emits a low drain alarm.
- The patient presses the red and green buttons.
- The machine resumes draining.
Steps 2 and 3 accomplish nothing except to interrupt the patient’s sleep. Am I wrong about that?