Clinical Technologist Companion(Renal Dialysis)
Water System, Peripheral Equipment, Machine & Servicing
by
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This companion is organized into two halves of seventeen chapters. The first part of the book deals with life support equipment such as dialysis machines and all peripheral equipment including how to develop a good maintenance protocol for each item and indeed the whole system. The second part focuses on the water system for a typical renal dialysis unit and servicing of the same. It is not just a lot of facts about a renal life support equipment or dialysis set up but more about the ways of using those facts for ways of making better sense of the whole dialysis complex. Descriptions are clear, concise and jargon free. You read less but learn more in this easy to follow guide. This book is intended for new and old technologists alike who are qualified to work in the field of Dialysis. It also provides useful information and skill to anyone who wishes to acquire deep knowledge and insight into the workings and servicing of dialysis machines, the water system, and including most life support items. At present the requirement of most renal dialysis Units, include some academic qualifications. Previous knowledge of Dialysis was not necessary in the years gone by, but it is now.
In October 2002, certification became law in Washington, USA. This requirement will undoubtedly spread across the whole spectrum. This is very important as all patient care technologists have enormous responsibilities. The competition for the position of renal technologists/engineers in this day and age is, so great that management demands good basic knowledge of the subject in hand I have assumed little or no previous knowledge on the subject of the technical aspect dialysis, and as such, this book is written to be generally self -contained. The book will also bring great awareness to many people who just want to be familiar with the functions of a dialysis machine and peripheral equipment. The Function of a Dialysis Machine and principle of dialysis Hemodialysis is an established life saving therapy for patients with chronic renal failure. It involves creating a fistula in the patient’s arm. This facilitates a return site for the purified blood. The blood leaves the patient via the fistula on the arterial line where pressure, is monitored and alarm limits set for safety purposes. The blood is fed to the dialyzer (filter), across one side of the membrane. The dialysate (diffusion medium) prepared by the fluid unit/monitor is fed to the other side of the dialyzer membrane. Impurities from the dialyzer diffuse across the membrane and transported down to waste/drain. The purified blood is then returned to the patient on the venous line. The pressure is monitored and air detector is incorporated to protect the patient from suffering air embolism. A dialysis machine is built and designed with two basic units in mind. The blood unit, and the fluid unit. The two Units combine to form essential life support equipment named the Dialysis Machine. To service any life support equipment correctly, efficiently and effectively, one has to be familiar with the workings of the item and its component parts. In this particular instance, dialysis machines. This book covers several topics and intelligible ideas pertaining to any life support machine in general including the understanding of correct servicing procedure of such equipment which are vital in supporting human life. The equipment primarily dealt with by such technologists and engineers include both electromechanical, electro-medical and some form of electronics. Most, life support machines fall under this category. We learn by experience. An experience which can be gained by engaging in a repetitive task regularly and over a sustained period of time, by leaning from others, by way of copying and by transfer of the knowledge gained. Nothing can replace experience personnel.
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About the Book
The information in this comprehensive dialysis, Clinical technologist companion, is a carbon copy of some of the author’s lecture notes, which he used for postgraduate students who studied in the department of Medical Electronics. (The Queen Mary College. University of London). This was under the auspices of Dr. John R. Roberts, who was the Director of the Department. The department collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide international training, support, research and development in health care equipment management. In this book, Frank Sikapa provides a practical system of advanced knowledge common to all clinical technologists and engineers. The author describes many techniques, procedures and tricks that can be effective in diagnosing personal and technical faults, developing self awareness and important skills that can be applied to many aspects of professional life. It is packed with helpful examples, it explains key concepts and relates to actual practical needs of a renal technologist. Diagrams and illustrations provide supportive information about technical needs which will drive assistance to all who are concerned with the maintenance of many life support machines and have responsibility to patients or customers. An ideal book for teachers, students and nurses.
About the Author
Having studied aeronautical engineering in the preparatory faculty (Mink University), Russia, the author found his new challenge in dialysis technology fascinating. When he joined the team of pioneers of dialysis technologists, and engineers in 1977, there were no known educational books or manuals on dialysis servicing. Being the only and the first black person of African origin among other technologists, he found himself in a very intimidating position, and totally in the dark regarding the basic knowledge on the subject of renal dialysis technology. In a humane manner, the other technologists became good friends and mentors. That was a great help and very comforting on his way forward. Various courses were designed and arranged for him in order to expand his horizon. His cogs became well oiled enough to feel confident among men. After many years of hard work and dedication, he became chief renal dialysis technologist with managerial responsibilities at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. He was, and is still proud about the fact that he was the first black African to have held such an important position. This was the acme of his technical career and felt grateful to be acknowledged by his peers and organization. He now finds it appropriate to prepare and write this book in order to impart specialized knowledge gained over his many years of experience, and know how, to anyone who wishes to acquire more knowledge on the subject.