title: Implementation of a vascular access quality programme improves vascular access care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital Maastricht, P. Debeijelaan 25, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Loon
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van der Mark
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Beukers
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Bruin
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Blankestijn
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Huisman
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Zijlstra
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: van der Sande
authors.forename: J H M
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Tordoir
mesh_terms: D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D011897:Random Allocation; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome