Traveling on PD
One of the primary benefits of home PD is the overall freedom and flexibility it offers to patients. Recent advances in technology and services are now making domestic travel a more convenient and feasible option for PD patients. With newly portable equipment that is easy to set up and supported with supplies delivered anywhere in the continental United States.
Traveling PD patients typically have an easier time traveling if their treatments do not require access to a machine. The necessary supplies are also smaller and more portable than ever before for manual PD patients.
The primary requirement if you are traveling on PD is to pack an adequate amount of supplies and any necessary medications in a safe and easily accessible way. You should consider making a special first aid kit to carry with you that includes two days worth of essential supplies to help prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, such as a baggage delay when traveling. You should also make certain that your carry-on baggage meets security and travel regulations well in advance.
Traveling PD patients typically have an easier time traveling if their treatments do not require access to a machine. The necessary supplies are also smaller and more portable than ever before for manual PD patients.
The primary requirement if you are traveling on PD is to pack an adequate amount of supplies and any necessary medications in a safe and easily accessible way. You should consider making a special first aid kit to carry with you that includes two days worth of essential supplies to help prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, such as a baggage delay when traveling. You should also make certain that your carry-on baggage meets security and travel regulations well in advance.
Portable PD Setup for travel
This was my PD travel pack i used on the go while performing home PD treatments. This pack could hold a full days worth of exchanges which was three bags for me. I also kept all my connection tools, emergency catheter extension, caps and sanitary accessories. Everything I could possibly need was in this bag and allowed me the freedom to enjoy a full day out on the town. If there was a drawback it would be the weight of the bag which might have been too much for some patients.
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Travel Tips
Regardless of your type of home dialysis treatment, having all the dialysis supplies you need is essential when you are "on the road." If you give your treatment provider a few weeks notice, you can usually have any necessary supplies shipped to your hotel, a relative’s house, or wherever you intend on staying. Even after these arrangements are made, it’s a good idea to be safe and include one or two day’s worth of extra supplies in your luggage. At this point, traveling for home dialysis patients is generally limited to staying within the continental United States due to equipment and supply shipping issues.
If you are traveling with your own equipment and supplies, it is still important to identify a few local dialysis centers near your travel destination just in case you need additional assistance or support. Most dialysis centers that you may visit will need information about your health, including your medical records and recent lab reports, insurance information and a list of the medications you take. Although you and your home dialysis care team may fax your dialysis records to a dialysis center ahead of time, it’s a good idea to pack your medical information in your carry-on luggage. For longer trips (generally, more than two weeks), you should talk with your doctors about setting up monthly checkups at a facility close to your destination.
Call your insurance carrier before traveling to find out what expenses are covered. Some private insurance groups don't allow travel or won't pay for travel outside their coverage area, so be sure to get this information before you leave on your trip.
If you have dietary restrictions, remember that many travel agencies do not provide meals, and airport shops and restaurants may not have healthy food options. When making your airline reservation, be sure to ask if the airline has special meals, such as diabetic, vegetarian or low fat options. It is advisable to bring your own diet-appropriate food and snacks for travel delays and long trips.
Patients with a manual wheelchair, an electric wheelchair or a scooter should notify your airline that you are traveling with these items and will need "maximum assistance" at the airport. It is important to ask the airline for specific information about their regulations regarding your type of wheelchair. When you arrive at the airline ticket counter, ask the attendant to "gate check" your wheelchair and obtain a luggage claim receipt for it. This will allow you to roll your wheelchair directly onto the plane where you can walk to your seat or transfer to an "aisle chair" for assistance to your seat. Don’t forget to notify your hotel as well so that you can request an accessible room.
If you are on home dialysis and concerned about traveling alone or have a hard time planning a vacation, you can also choose from a number of vacation packages that cater specifically to dialysis patients. These vacations, including special cruises equipped with necessary dialysis equipment and medical staff, can provide an opportunity for those on dialysis and their families to get away without worrying about their medical needs.
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