Performing a heparin free dialysis procedure can be a daunting task especially if it’s your first time so how much more if the facility you are currently in is using a dialysis machine that might not be a heparin-free friendly. Fortunately, I’ve got a video for that to make it easier for you but first, here are things you need to know first about.

What is Heparin Free Dialysis Procedure?

From the name itself, this does not involve the use of heparin, instead, it will be all about intermittent saline flushes. Depending on the facility’s protocol usually, it’s 50cc/15min.

Heparin Free Dialysis Procedure Indication

This is indicated for patients who are at risk for bleeding therefore, heparin is definitely a no-no. If you are working in a hospital setting, this is a common thing for first time patients during their first few dialysis sessions.

However, you can also encounter this in a regular or typical setting for patients who have low platelet, who have incoming surgery or who are post-op.

Risk for clotting in dialysis circuit

The challenging part is, heparin free dialysis procedure increases the risk for clotting in the extracorporeal / dialysis circuit. But, of course there are always ways to prevent that. One is a priming heparin bolus, don’t worry the heparin will be only circulated within the bloodlines. Another is rinsing the dialyzer and bloodlines in the middle of the session especially if patient is in SLED that takes around 6 hours.

Now let’s go straight to how we are going it. Here’s a video focusing on intermittent saline flushes in both Bbraun and Fresenius machine.

Hope this post helps. To familiarize more the Fresenius dialysis machine, here’s how-to priming and setting up Fresenius 4008s. You can also checkout my Youtube channel for more videos of dialysis and my journey in discovering nursing career.