Singh NS, Grimes J, Gregg GK, Nau AE, Rivard DC, Fields M, Flaucher N, Sherman AK, Williams MU, Wiley KJ, Kerwin K, Warady BA. "Save the Vein" Initiative in Children With CKD: A Quality Improvement Study.
Am J Kidney Dis 2021;
78:96-102.e1. [PMID:
33421455 DOI:
10.1053/j.ajkd.2020.11.016]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE
The preferred vascular access for hemodialysis recipients is an arteriovenous fistula in the nondominant arm. Prior placement of a peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheter can lead to vascular injury and limit options for arteriovenous fistula creation, a particular problem for children, who may need hemodialysis for their entire lifetime. We instituted an initiative to increase the frequency of PIV catheter placement in the dominant arm for hospitalized pediatric patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD).
STUDY DESIGN
Quality improvement initiative.
SETTING & PARTICIPANTS
Children with CKD stage 3-5, receiving dialysis, and/or following kidney transplantation who were hospitalized at one children's hospital between September 2018 and August 2020.
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES
Retrospective data on PIV catheter location for patients from January 1 to June 30, 2017, served as baseline data. Quality improvement activities consisted of: 1) education of the multidisciplinary treatment team, patients, and parents regarding importance of vein preservation; 2) placement of individualized notes in the electronic medical record identifying the preferred arm for PIV catheter placement; 3) use of "restricted extremity" arm bands; and 4) vascular access team participation to minimize attempts for PIV catheter placement.
OUTCOME
Monthly compliance with placement of PIV catheters in dominant arms.
ANALYTICAL APPROACH
Location of PIV catheter placements were determined monthly and used to create run charts describing compliance.
RESULTS
At baseline and before institution of this initiative, 34 of 72 (47%) PIV catheters were placed in patients' dominant arms, with only 2 of 8 (25%) PIV catheters placed in the dominant arm for children aged<5 years. After instituting the initiative, 345 of 371 (93%) PIV catheters were placed in the dominant arm of 93 children; in children aged<5 years, 58 of 62 (94%) PIV catheters were placed in the dominant arm. Only 38 of 371 (10%) PIV catheters were placed in the antecubital vein.
LIMITATIONS
Single-center study.
CONCLUSIONS
Education regarding the importance of vein preservation, along with implementation of a standardized process for identifying children for whom vein preservation is important, can help direct PIV catheter placement and potentially preserve vasculature in pediatric patients with CKD.
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