Abstract

BACKGROUND:

In December 2001, 44.2% of hemodialysis (HD) patients in the Northwest Renal Network (NWRN 16) received dialysis using an arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Substantial differences were noted in percentages of patients with AVF, ranging from 5% to 90% of the facility population, suggesting wide variation in physician practice patterns within the Network. To address the needs of facilities having < 40% AVF, NWRN 16 provided education and tools for their vascular access decision-makers to promote AVF creation.

METHODS:

In 2002, the Network sponsored 4 regional workshops targeted to nephrologists, vascular surgeons, dialysis nurses, and interventional radiologists.

RESULTS:

46 facilities (43% of all Network facilities) had <40% AVF in use in December, 2001, dialyzing 2940 patients (Invited Units). Percent AVF in use in all the Invited Facilities increased from 31.3% pre-intervention to 39.8% at 1 year (p<0.001 vs pre) to 56.2% at four years: 79.8% increase in the prevalent AVF rate over a four-year period (95% confidence interval: 77.8% to 81.7%).

CONCLUSION:

Low prevalent AVF rates in many NWRN 16 facilities may have resulted from differences in physician practice patterns. The success of Network 16 AVF Intervention demonstrates the effectiveness of Network education promoting multidisciplinary teamwork, innovative strategies to increase AVF rates among dialysis patients.