Project Guidelines
The goal of this project is to increase the number of patients dialyzing via arteriovenous fistula (AVF)/ arteriovenous graft (AVG) and reducing long-term catheter (LTC) use for dialysis access is key to provide optimum care for your patients. A dialysis patient is identified as having LTC when he or she has been dialyzed with a catheter for 90 days or longer, regardless of whether the catheter has been replaced.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has set two quality goals for facilities that are linked to the QIP:
- Each hemodialysis facility's AVF/ AVG rate should be greater than or equal to 68%
- Each hemodialysis facility's LTC rate should be less than or equal to 10%
Project Outlines
- LTC Project Lead Outline
- LTC Navigator Role Overview
QIA Guidelines
The Network will:
- Educate target facilities on the CDC Core Interventions and assist the facilities in implementing these interventions,
- Assist facilities in monitoring and tracking their progress towards the reduction of long term catheters,
- Monitor the progress of QIA facilities and assist facilities that are unable to progress towards the goal,
- Involve patient SMEs and/or caregivers at the facility level in a discussion about infection control practices and ways to feel more comfortable bringing issues to the attention of staff members,
- Support facilities in completing the annual NHSN dialysis event surveillance training: National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
Tools & Resources
Webinars
Resources for Providers
- Change Concept 1: Routine CQI Review of Vascular Access
- Change Concept 2: Timely Referral to Nephrologist
- Vascular Access Management Week by Week
- Achieving HD Catheter Freedom: A Team Approach (video)
- AVG Assessment of Intervention Algorithm
- Catheter Reduction Toolkit
- Look, Listen Feel
- QAPI Toolkit
- How to Run/Update a Vascular Access Report in CROWNWeb
- Vascular Access Data Definition
- Vascular Access Comparison
- Vascular Access Planning for Professionals
Patient Education

For more information:
Loretta Ezell
Quality Improvement Director
919-463-4510
Contact Me
Patient Education Initiative: Lobby Education Winners

1st Place - By: Wake Forest High Point Kidney Center (342514)

2nd Place - By: FKC Villa Rica (112772)
