Self-care actions for the maintenance of the arteriovenous fistula: An integrative review

Determining the effect of arteriovenous fistula care training on the self-care behaviors of hemodialysis patients

INTRODUCTION

The aim was to determine the effect of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) care training given to hemodialysis (HD) patients on the self-care behaviors of patients.

METHODS

The randomized controlled experimental study was conducted in the HD unit. The study was carried out with a total of 66 patients. Patients in the intervention group were trained using the AVF Care Education Book for 4 weeks. The study data were collected using the scale for evaluating self-care behaviors related to AVF in HD patients (ASBHD-AVF). Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, independent t-tests, and ANOVA were used in the SPSS 25.0 package program.

RESULTS

As a result of the research, it was determined that the average ASBHD-AVF score of the patients in the trained intervention group increased from 54.52 ± 7.41 to 73.77 ± 3.05 (p <0.05). The mean ASBHD-AVF score of the patients in the control group increased from 56.14 ± 4.51 to 58.14 ± 5.93 (p >0.05). When the difference between the two groups was examined, it was determined that the average ASBHD-AVF score of the patients in the intervention group was statistically significantly higher than the control group (p <0.05).

CONCLUSION

AVF care education given to HD patients improves patients' self-care behaviors. Improved fistula self-care behaviors of patients will contribute to the healthy functioning of the AVF and the effective HD treatment of patients.

Dialysis nurses' knowledge, attitude, practice and self-efficacy regarding vascular access: A cross-sectional study in Singapore

INTRODUCTION

Dialysis nurses play a paramount role in vascular access (VA) management. The aim of this study is to evaluate dialysis nurses' knowledge, attitude, practice and self-efficacy (KACP-SE) pertaining to VA cannulation and evaluation.

METHOD

An anonymous self-administered survey was administered to dialysis nurses from two tertiary hospitals (four dialysis units) and two community dialysis centres from April to May 2022. The 37-items survey consists of four dimensions of questions relating to VA cannulation and management: knowledge, attitude, practice and self-efficacy. The content validity and face validity of the survey was reviewed by three experienced VA professionals and five dialysis nurses respectively. The internal consistency and construct validity of the survey have been assessed with psychometric tests.

RESULTS

There were 23 and 47 nurses, working in the participated community and tertiary hospital dialysis centres respectively, responded to the survey. The internal consistency coefficients indicated acceptable reliability of the instrument (KR-20 coefficient was 0.55 and 0.76 for knowledge and practice domains; Cronbach's α was 0.85 and 0.64 for self-efficacy and attitude domains). In the exploratory factor analysis for attitude and self-efficacy, the instrument could account for 64.0% and 53.0% of the total variance respectively. In the knowledge domain, five out of eight single-select multiple-choice questions were correctly answered by >70% of the participants. Overall, the mean (±SD) of participants' total self-efficacy score was 24.3 (±3.1) over total score of 30. The majority of the participants (82.4%) either agreed or strongly agreed that ultrasound guidance is useful for cannulation.

CONCLUSION

This KAP-SE instrument can be used to evaluate knowledge, attitude, practice and self-efficacy of dialysis nurses toward VA management. The participants demonstrated acceptable knowledge level, but with some knowledge gaps identified. It also revealed nurses' good self-efficacy level and welcoming attitude towards adopting ultrasound in VA cannulation among the participants.

Hemodialysis nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practices in managing vascular access: A cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia

Hemodialysis continues to be the primary approach for renal replacement therapy. Vascular access (VA), particularly arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous graft, is the preferred technique for establishing hemodialysis access due to its lower risk of infection and central venous stenosis compared to catheters. The aim of this cross-sectional investigation was to examine hemodialysis nurses' knowledge, confidence, and practices in managing VA in Saudi Arabia. This is an online cross-sectional survey study that was conducted in Saudi Arabia between June and August 2023. This study utilized a previously validated questionnaire. Examined dialysis nurses' knowledge, attitude, practice, and self-efficacy pertaining to VA cannulation and evaluation. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of better knowledge of dialysis VA. A total of 197 participants were involved in this study. Around one-third of the study participants (37.0%) reported that they have received specialized training in managing VA. Participants agreement (answered agree or strongly agree) on statements that examined attitudes toward dialysis VA cannulation and management was high and ranged between 75.0% and 93.0%. The majority of participants (97.5%) reported that they perform this assessment. Most nurses (65%) preferred the rope-ladder technique. Participants agreement on statements that examined self-efficacy on dialysis VA cannulation and management was high and ranged between 72.1% and 98.0%. The most commonly agreed upon statement was that "they have confident in performing hemodialysis access (arteriovenous fistula and arteriovenous graft) assessment before cannulation." With 98.0% (answered agree and strongly agree). The mean knowledge score for our study sample was 6.4 (SD: 2.0) out of 12 (53.3%); which reflects marginal-level of knowledge on dialysis VA. Binary logistic regression analysis identified that nurses who have undergraduate degree are 92% more likely to be knowledgeable on dialysis VA compared to others (P < .05). Concerning VA, the level of knowledge among hemodialysis nurses working in Saudi Arabia was inadequate. Nurses who hold an undergraduate degree are presumed to have a more extensive understanding of dialysis VA. Further education programs are necessary for HD nurses to enhance their knowledge of VA, thereby optimizing their professional practices and enhancing the outcomes for their patients.

Patient engagement during the transition from nondialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease to dialysis: A meta-ethnography

INTRODUCTION

Patient engagement, encompassing both patient experience and opportunities for involvement in care, has been associated with increased patient satisfaction and the overall quality of care. Despite its importance, there is limited knowledge regarding patient engagement in the transition from nondialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD) to dialysis-dependent treatment. This systematic review employs meta-ethnography to synthesize findings from qualitative studies examining patients' experiences of engagement during this transition, with the aim of developing a comprehensive theoretical understanding of patient engagement in the transition from nondialysis-dependent CKD to dialysis.

METHODS

A systematic search of six databases, namely the Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Scopus, Embase, PubMed and Web of Science was conducted to identify eligible articles published between 1990 and 2022. Meta-ethnography was utilized to translate and synthesize the findings and develop a novel theoretical interpretation of 'patient engagement' during the transition to dialysis.

RESULTS

A total of 24 articles were deemed eligible for review, representing 21 studies. Patient engagement during a transition to dialysis was found to encompass three major domains: psychosocial adjustment, decision-making and engagement in self-care. These three domains could be experienced as an iterative and mutually reinforcing process, guiding patients toward achieving control and proficiency in their lives as they adapt to dialysis. Additionally, patient engagement could be facilitated by factors including patients' basic capability to engage, the provision of appropriate education, the establishment of supportive relationships and the alignment with values and resources.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this review underscore the necessity of involving patients in transitional dialysis care, emphasizing the need to foster their engagement across multiple domains. Recommendations for future interventions include the provision of comprehensive support to enhance patient engagement during this critical transition phase. Additional research is warranted to explore the effects of various facilitators at different levels.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

The studies included in our review involved 633 participants (547 patients, 14 family members, 63 healthcare providers and 9 managers). Based on their experiences, views and beliefs, we developed a deeper understanding of patient engagement and how to foster it in the future.

Arteriovenous fistula self-care behaviors in patients receiving hemodialysis treatment: Association with health literacy and self-care agency

BACKGROUND

Arteriovenous fistula-related self-care behaviors, self-care agency and health literacy are important for vascular access patency, which is vital in the continuation of hemodialysis treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the arteriovenous fistula-related self-care behaviors of patients receiving chronic hemodialysis treatment and the relationship between these behaviors and their health literacy and self-care agency levels.

METHODS

In this descriptive correlational study, the data were collected from 216 chronic hemodialysis patients.

RESULTS

The rate of the patients who had good self-care behaviors levels was 83.96%. The sociodemographic variables that were significantly related to AVF-related self-care behaviors were education, employment status and age. It was found that the patients who had had AVF for a longer time had better self-care behaviors regarding their management of symptoms and findings (p < 0.05). As the self-care agency of the patients (r = 0.612, p < 0.001) and their health literacy (r = 0.421, p < 0.001) increased, their AVF-related self-care behaviors also increased.

CONCLUSION

Age, education status, health literacy and self-care agency were identified to affect AVF-related self-care behaviors.

Deep Learning-Based Digital Subtraction Angiography Characteristics in Nursing of Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

This study is aimed at exploring the diagnostic value of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) based on faster region-based convolutional networks (Faster-RCNN) deep learning for maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) diseases and to provide a theoretical basis for clinical nursing. A total of 50 MHD patients who were clinically diagnosed in the Blood Purification Center were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group (25 cases for each group). The control group was given routine nursing intervention, and the experimental group was given overall nursing intervention under the supervision of DSA. A faster RCNN multitarget detection network was constructed to analyze the average accuracy of various vascular structures in the test set. The self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used to evaluate the degree of anxiety and depression. The urine volume before and after the operation, local hematoma after a puncture, the incidence of complications, and nursing satisfaction were recorded. The results showed that the average accuracy of the vein, internal carotid artery, circle of Willis, venous sinus, and venous vessels was 0.876, 0.916, 0.994, 0.925, and 0.732, respectively. The success rate of surgery in the experiment group was higher than that in the control group, and the difference had statistical significance (P < 0.05). The SAS score and SDS score in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The total incidence rate of complications in the experimental group (16.00%) was significantly lower than that in the control group (44.00%) (P < 0.05). The satisfaction rate of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The Faster-RCNN model had the best effect in differentiating the circle of Willis and a poor effect in differentiating venous vessels. DSA based on Faster-RCNN can significantly improve the success rate of puncture in MHD patients. The implementation of holistic nursing intervention under its supervision can significantly reduce postoperative complications and improve patient satisfaction with nursing compared with routine nursing.

Effects of Demographic and Clinical Character on Differences in Self-care Behaviour Levels with Arteriovenous Fistula by Haemodialysis Patients: An Ordinal Logistic Regression Approach

INTRODUCTION

Haemodialysis (HD) patients should be trained to develop self-care behaviors in order to prevent and preserve their arteriovenous fistula (AVF). The aim of this study was identifying the factors that affect the levels of self-care behavior with AVF by HD patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 89 patients.

RESULTS

Self-care levels were negatively affected by patients' location (Azores) and positively affected by marital status, education, employment, AVF duration and absence of complications with the AVF. Concerning the management of signs and symptoms, self-care levels were negatively affected by patients' location. Regarding prevention of complications, self-care levels were negatively affected by age and marital status and positively affected by marital status, employment, CKD etiology, AVF duration and previous AVF.

CONCLUSION

Further studies are required in order to confirm whether the considered factors affect levels of self-care behaviors with AVF, or whether other factors are needed as well.

A family-centred perspective on the arteriovenous fistula in end-stage renal disease: Findings from dyadic interviews

INTRODUCTION

The preservation of a well-functioning arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is crucial for successful dialysis in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD); nonetheless, complications are frequent which leads to lower quality of life, hospitalisations and death. Self-care behaviours help to reduce the risk of complications and family caregivers can play an important role as partners for behaviour change. However, the patient and family caregiver's experiences with such an invasive intervention are largely unknown.

AIMS

This study aimed to explore the experiences of patients with ESRD and their family caregivers with the AVF through joint interviews.

METHODS

A qualitative exploratory study was conducted with a purposive sample. Semi-structured joint interviews were conducted with 14 dyads (28 participants) composed of patients on haemodialysis with AVF and their respective family caregivers. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and submitted to thematic analysis.

FINDINGS

Four major themes were identified: (i) AVF negative impacts; (ii) (un)presence of self-care behaviours; (iii) AVF self-management facilitators and (iv) AVF self-management barriers.

DISCUSSION

The findings suggested that more attention needs to be paid to patients' and their family caregivers' support needs (e.g. fears, concerns, knowledge, adherence barriers and facilitators) regarding AVF self-management. The dyads seem to be aware of how to take care of the AVF; however, self-care behaviours still need to be improved.

CONCLUSION

Innovative interventions need to follow an interdisciplinary approach with an educational and support component. The integration of family caregivers should also be considered, since this study evidenced their lack of knowledge and skills, and willingness to participate in these initiatives.

"Together We Stand": A Pilot Study Exploring the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Effects of a Family-Based Psychoeducational Intervention for Patients on Hemodialysis and Their Family Caregivers

This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a family-based psychoeducational intervention for patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and their family members. This was a single-group (six dyads), six-week, pre–post pilot study, delivered in a multifamily group format. Feasibility was based on screening, eligibility, content, retention, completion, and intervention adherence rates. Acceptability was assessed at post-intervention through a focus group interview. Self-reported anxiety and depression and patients’ inter-dialytic weight gain (IDWG) were also measured. The screening (93.5%), retention (85.7%), and completion (100%) rates were satisfactory, whereas eligibility (22.8%), consent (18.4%), and intervention adherence (range: 16.7–50%) rates were the most critical. Findings showed that participants appreciated the intervention and perceived several educational and emotional benefits. The results from the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test showed that a significant decrease in anxiety symptoms (p = 0.025, r = 0.646) was found, which was followed by medium to large within-group effect sizes for changes in depression symptoms (p = 0.261, r = 0.325) and patients’ IDWG (p = 0.248, r = 0.472), respectively. Overall, the results indicated that this family-based psychoeducational intervention is likely to be feasible, acceptable, and effective for patients undergoing HD and their family caregivers; nonetheless, further considerations are needed on how to make the intervention more practical and easily implemented in routine dialysis care before proceeding to large-scale trials.

Scale of Assessment of Self-Care Behaviors with Arteriovenous Fistula in Hemodialysis: A Psychometric Study in Brazil

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian Scale for the Assessment of Self-Care Behaviors with Arteriovenous Fistula in Hemodialysis. Cross-sectional validation study, followed the recommendation provided by Sousa and Rojjanasrirat. Content validity, explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses used to check validity and Cronbach's alpha was the reliability measure. Three hundred hemodialysis patients with arteriovenous fistula were included in the study. The expert committee assessed the content validity. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed the same two-factor structure found for the original scale, explaining 60.10% of the variance. Such solution was checked by confirmatory factor analysis with Cronbach's alpha equal to 0.920, 0.810, and 0.884 for the overall scale, the self-care in management of signs and symptoms and the self-care in prevention of complications subscales respectively. The scale has good psychometric properties to assess self-care behaviors and can be used with Brazilian patients on hemodialysis with arteriovenous fistula.

Cuidados com o acesso vascular para hemodiálise: revisão integrativa

Introdução: As complicações relacionadas ao acesso vascular para hemodiálise podem resultar em intervenções complexas, contudo, cuidados adotados pelos profissionais de saúde e pacientes adultos podem evitá-las. Objetivou-se analisar a produção científica acerca dos cuidados com acessos vasculares utilizados na hemodiálise para elaboração do conteúdo de uma cartilha educativa voltada ao autocuidado do paciente. Método: Revisão integrativa de literatura realizada nas bases de dados: LILACS, PUBMED, BDENF, SciELO e CINAHL. A busca dos estudos deu-se entre setembro e novembro de 2019, nos idiomas português, inglês ou espanhol, utilizando os termos dos DeCS e MeSH. A seleção dos artigos foi realizada por três pesquisadores e foram extraídas informações: país, ano de publicação, delineamento do estudo, número de pacientes, intervenções, desfechos e nível de evidência científica. Selecionaram-se 10 artigos processados no software IRAMUTEQ® e analisados descritivamente pelo modelo de Reinert. Resultados: Organizaram-se sete classes: Cuidados com o cateter após a hemodiálise; Cuidados com a FAV antes da hemodiálise; Cuidados com a FAV após a hemodiálise; Cuidados para evitar a interrupção do funcionamento da FAV; Autocuidado dos pacientes com a FAV; Cuidados realizados pela equipe de enfermagem; Conhecimento do paciente acerca dos cuidados com a pele e punção da FAV. Conclusão: Identificou-se que os cuidados com os acessos vasculares mais frequentes se relacionam com a fístula arteriovenosa, demonstrando sua grande representatividade no tratamento do paciente com doença renal crônica. A síntese do conhecimento proporcionada nesta revisão foi utilizada para a elaboração de uma cartilha educativa já validada por especialistas e por pacientes que realizam hemodiálise.

Investigating the Effect of a Structured Intervention on the Development of Self-Care Behaviors With Arteriovenous Fistula in Hemodialysis Patients

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a structured intervention on the frequency of self-care behaviors with arteriovenous fistula (AVF) by patients on hemodialysis. This is a quasi-experimental study with pre- and post-measurements. Participants were assigned to an intervention group (IG) (n = 48) or to a control group (CG) (n = 41). IG patients were subject to a structured intervention on self-care with AVF (SISC-AVF) consisting of both a theoretical and a practical part. After SISC-AVF application, patients in the IG showed better overall self-care behaviors with AVF than patients in the CG (79.2% and 91.4%, respectively, p < .001) as well as better self-care concerning both the management of signs and symptoms (90.1% and 94.4% respectively, p = .004) and the prevention of complications (72.7% and 89.5%, respectively, p < .001). The study results suggest that the SISC-AVF had positive effects on patients in the IG.

Validation of the scale of assessment of self-care behaviours for arteriovenous fistula in patients ongoing haemodialysis in Turkey

BACKGROUND

Several guidelines recommend that patients with chronic kidney disease treated by haemodialysis (HD) take care of their own arteriovenous fistula (AVF). The dialysis nurse plays an important role in the development of such self-care behaviours. A very small number of instruments are available to assess self-care behaviours with AVF in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE

Cultural adaptation and psychometric testing of the Turkish version of the scale of assessment of self-care behaviours with arteriovenous fistula in haemodialysis (ASBHD-AVF) patients.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional validation study.

PARTICIPANTS AND MEASUREMENTS

This study was conducted involving 160 patients in the Bolu region in Turkey. The guidelines provided by Sousa and Rojjanasrirat were taken into account in the scale translation, adaptation and validation process. Validity was analysed through content validity and construct validity. The latter was measured through principal component analysis with varimax rotation, considering only factor loadings of 0.30 or larger. Reliability analysis was based on internal consistency measured by Cronbach's α.

RESULTS

A two-factor structure was extracted explaining 59.01% of the total variance. Cronbach's α was 0.91, 0.85 and 0.84 for the overall scale, the self-care in prevention of complications subscale and the self-care in management of signs and symptoms subscale, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The Turkish version of the scale of ASBHD-AVF patients is a reliable and valid instrument and can therefore be used.