title: An innovative technology for safe needle disconnection after hemodialysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vascular access care is a key topic for hemodialysis patients. The most cost-effective and lasting vascular access for chronic hemodialysis is the native arteriovenous fistula (AVF); however, bleeding after dialysis session from puncture site is a relevant problem. Achieving hemostasis is necessary and requires hand compression by the nurse or the patient if he or she is capable and cooperative.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed a new vascular closure device, VITACLIP® (Serumwerk Bernburg Vertriebs GmbH) that is an adhesive silicone seal device, which can be set onto the skin and punctured by dialysis needle. After withdrawal of the needle, VITACLIP® prevents bleeding from the punctured vessels, making hand compression unnecessary.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We used this device in 5 chronic hemodialysis patients with native lateral-terminal AVFs. The patients' hemodialysis prescription and anticoagulants dose were not changed. This device allowed puncture of vascular access without complications such as bleeding at the end of hemodialysis; we did not observe any mechanical complications due to needle dislocation or any dermatological lesions at skin puncture site. However, the cannulation proved to be more difficult for the nurses with this device because the silicone hampers identification of the vessel for puncture for deeper AVFs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This device helps patient management and improves patient safety by reducing the risk of AVF bleeding at the end of dialysis, decreasing the risk of staff contact with patients' blood, and theoretically eliminating the risk of massive bleeding in the case of an inadvertent needle dislodgement going unnoticed during treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, "San Bortolo" Hospital, Vicenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lentini
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Cal
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chronopoulos
authors.forename: Dinna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nalesso
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garzotto
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brendolan
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ronco
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000451:nursing; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006489:Hemostatic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011677:Punctures; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome