A connection of a patient's vascular system to an extra corporeal blood treatment machine is monitored to ensure the patient's safety during a procedure. The procedure may be hemodialysis, apheresis, plasmapheresis, a coronary by-pass operation, or other procedure. To ensure safe electrical connection, a contact (44) and a return (46) are connected via a conductive connection into the extra corporeal blood circuit. A current is then generated between the contact (44) and the return (46) and is monitored ba a non-contact sensor (49) near an access site of the patient. If the current or other quantity related to the current changes significantly, a signal is sent to the machine or a controller to notify a caregiver or a medical professional. The signal may also be sent to immediately stop a blood pump or other component of the machine.
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