Implementation of a vascular access quality programme improves vascular access care

• Published in: Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation dialysis, transplantation, 2007-06, Vol.22 (6), p.1628-1632
• Main Authors: van Loon, M., van der Mark, W., Beukers, N., de Bruin, C., Blankestijn, P. J., Huisman, R. M., Zijlstra, J. J., van der Sande, F. M., Tordoir, J. H. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; arteriovenous fistula; Biological and medical sciences; Catheters, Indwelling - adverse effects; Catheters, Indwelling - standards; Emergency and intensive care: renal failure. Dialysis management; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hemodynamics. Rheology; Humans; Intensive care medicine; Kidney Diseases - therapy; Medical sciences; preemptive intervention; Quality Assurance, Health Care - standards; Random Allocation; Renal Dialysis - standards; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; surveillance; Treatment Outcome; vascular access; Vascular surgery: aorta, extremities, vena cava. Surgery of the lymphatic vessels; Vertebrates: cardiovascular system
• ISSN: 0931-0509; 1460-2385
• DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfm076

Introduction. In the Netherlands an access quality improvement plan (QIP) was introduced by vascular access coordinators (VAC) with the aim to decrease vascular access-related complications by preemptive intervention of malfunctioning accesses. A vascular access QIP was established in 24 centres (46% of all Dutch facilities) and a structural multidisciplinary vascular access meeting was instituted. In these centres, including 2300 patients, a protocol for enhancement of fistula creation and access surveillance programme was implemented, with instruction of physicians and nurses, and rounds to discuss complications and evaluate vascular access interventions. The number and type of vascular access, permanent catheters, thrombosis rates and number of interventions were evaluated at the start and end of the study period. Results. After the surveillance programme, the number of autogenous arterio-venous fistulas (AVFs) had increased significantly from 69 to 77% (P < 0.01), while the use of temporary subclavian vein catheters declined (34% vs 11%) (P < 0.01), with a substantially higher percentage of jugular vein catheters (from 23 to 35%). Interventional treatment of malfunctioning accesses by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) (from 0.39 to 0.50 patient/year; P < 0.001)) and surgical revisions (from 0.06 to 0.12 per patient/year; P < 0.001) also increased. Conclusion. These data demonstrate that a vascular access QIP resulted in placement of more autogenous AVFs, increased number of PTAs and surgical interventions. These findings suggest that a vascular access care QIP is worthwhile to improve dialysis patients’ care and access morbidity.