Home Dialysis Central tested out this Webinar idea after it was suggested by Rich Berkowitz. The initial presentation that Dr. Agar gave was on needle orientation. Here is my cannulation video where I show how I put my dialysis needles in every night using the buttonhole method (this was filmed in April/May 2006)
I had always placed the arterial needle (the needle that takes blood from the body to the machine) retrograde, meaning the needle pointed into the flow of blood. This is the first needle that I insert in the video. The second needle, the venous needle (which returns blood to the body) I've always placed antegrade, with the flow of blood. Dr. Agar's presentation made a strong case for placing both needles antegrade. I now place both my needles antegrade. It was seeing his Webinar that persuaded me to make the switch.
I had seen the presentation - Dr. Agar sent me the file - and I thought it was a good argument but it wasn't until he presented the data that I was moved to switch. There is real value to have the data presented and being able to interact with the presenter in real time. Try it for yourself a week from tomorrow, Wednesday May 28th. Sign up at WizIQ and then register for Dr. Agar's presentation. To get an email reminder before the session, send an email with "WEBINAR" in the subject heading to: info@homedialysis.org. Everyone who sends an email to be reminded will be entered to win a pair of headphones.
I think once you sign up at WizIQ you can go back and view the practice sessions where Dr. Agar presents his case for antegrade/antegrade dialysis needle placement. Even as we practiced using the technology the data shone through; and now my video is out of date, for the last two weeks I have been placing both of my needles antegrade.
Comments