Plan ahead

It takes planning to make sure your treatment requirements go smoothly while you are away. Leave yourself plenty of time for planning and advance arrangements. You can, for some destinations, make the necessary arrangements in less than 4 months. The more exotic your destination, the more preparation time you will need. Your renal center and Baxter will help you with your necessary travel plans.

Arrange delivery supplies

Your dialysis fluid and associated supplies can be delivered to a wide range of destinations around the world. This will be arranged through the company that manufactures them.

Ensure that staff at the hotel at which you will be staying will be able to receive your peritoneal dialysis supplies a few days before your arrival and store them until you get there. The staff should understand that:

Call your destination 2 or 3 days before your departure to check that your supplies have arrived safely.

APD machines

If flying do not check your APD machine as baggage, but keep it with you at all times. Because the overhead bins vary in size please check with the airlines before traveling.

It is a good idea to carry a letter from your dialysis center or Baxter stating that the machine is a medical device that must remain with you. Warn baggage handlers and the bellman that it is fragile and must be treated with care.

Customs

Ask your doctor for a letter confirming that your APD machine and bags of fluid are for medical treatment. The letter should also state that the bags of fluid are not to be opened.

Electricity supply

When you select your accommodation, check that there is a grounded electrical outlet close enough to the bed for the APD machine to be used.

Check that the voltage and type of plug and outlet are compatible with your machine. Normally the manufacturer of your machine can lend you a transformer free of charge.

Exchanges while traveling

Always discuss your travel itinerary with your peritoneal dialysis nurse, who can advise you on the most suitable places to do your CAPD exchanges.

Most airports, ports, stations, and large tourist attractions have a medical room, where it should be possible to carry out a CAPD exchange. It is worth calling in advance to check what is available. If your itinerary means you won't have to carry out an exchange until you reach your destination, it is still advisable to carry one dialysis bag and any disposables needed for your exchange in your hand luggage in case there are delays.

The same principles you learned during training apply where ever you do your dialysis.