NURSES ROLE IN PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION OF ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULA (AVF) COMPLICATIONS AMONG HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: In the world, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has become a public health problem and the most used renal replacement therapy (RRT) is hemodialysis. Capillary function and patency of vascular access, especially the arteriovenous fistula (AVF), are critical to the success of hemodialysis. Although regarded as the gold standard, there are several complications associated with AVF. Nurses are key to the prevention and early detection of these complications. The goal of the study is to determine the contribution of nurses in the prevention and early detection of AVF complications among hemodialysis patients.

Methodology: The methodology used in the present study was descriptive cross sectional study carried out in the hemodialysis units of Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro. The sample consisted of 257 nurses obtained with non-probability convenience sampling technique. The following tools were used to collect data: patient interview form, observation checklist and structured questionnaire. The statistical analysis of data was conducted with SPSS version 23.

Results: Most nurses had moderate knowledge about the care of AVF. Inspection, palpation and auscultation were routinely conducted, however there were gaps in documentation and venous pressure monitoring. There was a statistically significant relationship between the knowledge and practices of the nurses (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Continuous training and standardisation of clinical practices can greatly minimise complications of AVF and improve patient outcomes by strengthening the knowledge and skills of nurses.