title: Getting access to the problem. CPM Project provides a snapshot of practices.
abstract: As we stated in the beginning of this series (see May 2003 NN&I), there are many forks in the road to improvement for vascular access in the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population. That is because this age-old problem in renal care is multi-factorial. Along the way, most members of the renal care team will make decisions regarding the patient's access--not only in selecting the type of access, but in how it is used and maintained. Likewise, patients carry their accesses wherever they go. Will they come back in the same condition for their next dialysis session? The access is one of most crucial pieces in the dialysis adequacy puzzle, yet its fate typically lies in the hands of many.
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Neumann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011364:Professional Practice; D015397:Program Evaluation; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*