title: Establishing an interventional nephrology suite.
abstract: Procedures related to dialysis access are best performed in a center or suite designated specifically for that purpose. The facility can either be within a hospital or be a free-standing unit. Feasibility depends largely on the size of the end-stage renal disease population. Alternatives include existing interventional radiology or cardiac catheterization suites. Success of a dialysis access center requires attention to proper physician training, design, staffing, equipment and supplies, and regulations related to procedures, licensing for fluoroscopy, privileges for sedation, and outcome assessment. A successful dialysis access center improves the management of dialysis access and allows the nephrologist to function more efficiently.
authors.affiliation: Dialysis Access Center, Alta Bates Hospital, Berkeley, CA 94705, USA.
authors.forename: Randall L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
mesh_terms: D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D006436:Hemodialysis Units, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D009398:Nephrology / Q000193:education; D008486:Physician Executives; D015641:Radiography, Interventional