VA Dialysis Centers to Require Redsense

August 31, 2010 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is following research recommendation from the Veteran Affairs National Center for Patient Safety and requiring their dialysis centers to employ a Redsense alarm. Redsense is the only safety alarm that is able to detect blood leakage from the hemodialysis access site during hemodialysis. The Redsense alarms will be mandatory by November 1^st of this year.  

The Redsense alarm will be required for use in all patients who have needle access and are undergoing hemodialysis outside of a VA's established dialysis clinic area. These areas include:

• In-hospital Wards;
• ICUs;
• Bedside dialysis treatments; and
• Any room not allowing line-of-sight viewing of the patient and the dialysis machine during the hemodialysis.

Although not required, the Redsense Alarm can be used on those patients who have been determined to be at risk for Venous Needle Dislodgement. There are specific risk factors VA clinics look for in making these determinations:

• Confusion;
• Agitation dementia;
• Uncooperative patients;
• Patients with needles difficult to secure; and
• Patients with other concerning risks.

The VA's dedication to protecting their patients is of utmost importance and here they have found a balance between patient protection and patient service.