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Fistula First - Resources

For Dialysis Facilities

Access Assessment and Cannulation

• Article: Constant Site (Buttonhole) Method of Needle Insertion for Hemodialysis by Twardowski, et al. (October 1995; Dialysis and Transplantation)
• Article: Cannulation Camp: Basic Needle Cannulation Training for Dialysis Staff by Brouwer (1995; Dialysis and Transplantation)
• Assessment of the New Fistula
• AVF Assessment Poster and AVF Assessment Checklist
• AV Fistula Cannulation Resources for Staff
• AVG Algorithm
• Cannulation of the New Fistula
• Guidelines for Improving Cannulation
• Infection Tracking Log
• Presentation: Buttonhole Damage from Sharp Needles
• Report: Buttonhole Cannulation Results in Network 11
• Video: Cannulation of the AV Fistula (multiple chapters)
• Video: Physical Examination of the AVF (64 MB File)
• Video: Physical Examination of the AVF - Continous Circuit
• Video: Physical Examination of the AVF - Arm Elevation Test
• Video: Physical Examination of the AVF - Augmentation Test
• Video: Physical Examination of the AVF - Outflow Stenosis
• Video: Physical Examination of the AVf - Accessory Vein
• WebEx Presentation: Cannulation — Problems and Troubleshooting
• WebEx Presentation: Buttonhole Cannulation
• Monitoring and Surveillance of the Failing Fistula
• Secondary AVF Protocol — "Sleeves up"
• Secondary AVF Access Manager Checklist — "Sleeves up exam"

Improving AVF Placement for Existing Patients

• Article: Increasing Arteriovenous Fistulas in Hemodialysis Patients: Problems and Solutions by Allon and Robbin (2002; Kidney International)
• Algorithm: Management of Patient with Central Venous Catheter
• Algorithm: Vascular Access Monitoring and Surveillance Flow Chart
• Algorithm: Vascular Access Placement in New Dialysis Patients
• New Access Referral Form: MS Word® document for completing electronically or PDF file for printing form
• Vascular Access Management Toolkit for Medical Directors

QAPI

• Barrier Analysis Tool
• Overcoming Barriers FAQ
• Strategy Analysis Tool
• Report: Network 11 Fistula First Facility Best Practices
• WebEx Presentation: Overcoming Resistance
• WebEx Presentation: Understanding Patient Resistance
• Fistula First Action Plan Guidelines
• CQI Action Plan Form (PDF)
• CQI Action Plan Form (editable MS Word® document)
• Change Concepts Action Plan
• Root Cause Analysis
• A Provider's Guide to preparing for the vascular access portion of your medicare survey
• Facility Assessment: Implementation Tracking Tool
• Monthly Data Trends Form for Vascular Access: MS Excel® spreadsheet for completing electronically or PDF file for printing trends form

Working with Surgeons

• WebEx Presentation: Working with Surgeons
• Referral to Surgeon for Existing Vascular Access
• Billing and Coding Resources for CKD and ESRD
• New Access Referral Form: MS Word® document for completing electronically or PDF file for printing form
• Vessel Mapping Protocol
• Template: Letter to Surgeon
• Presentations: How to make Fistulas that Work

Pre-ESRD Strategies

• CKD Wallet Card
• Letter to Primary Care Physicians
• Assessment and Treatment Algorithm
• Emergency Algorithm

General Tools and Resources

• AVF Frequently Asked Questions
• Sample Bulletin Board
• Staff Resources
• Report: Patient Questionnaire
• Report: 2006 Catheter Reduction Project
• NVAII Change Package A multi-disciplinary working group, chaired by vascular access surgeon Lawrence Spergel, MD, developed this set of change concepts for increasing AV fistula use among hemodialysis patients in the United States.
• Vascular Access Manager Role

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