Northwest Renal Network
2008 Vascular Access Goals and Performance

In June 2008, the Northwest Renal Network Medical Review Board set the following goals for vascular access for in-center hemodialysis (“HD”) patients:

A primary AV fistula (“AVF”) should be the access for at least 60% of all HD patients initiating dialysis.

In Fistula First Project data, an AVF was in place at the end of their first month on dialysis for 37.5% of HD patients initiating dialysis during 2007.   In the 2007 Clinical Performance Measures Project, an AVF was in place at the end of their first year on dialysis for 56% of HD patients initiating dialysis during 2006.   In Medical Evidence Report data, an AVF was in place at initiation of chronic dialysis for 41.9% of HD patients incident during 2007-2008.

More than 66% of prevalent HD patients over 18 years of age should use an AVF.

In Fistula First Project data, as of April 2008, 62.4% of prevalent HD patients were using an AVF as their primary access.

Less than 10% of prevalent HD patients over 18 years of age should be maintained on catheters for 90 days or longer.

In Fistula First Project data, as of December 2007, 8.0% of prevalent HD patients had been dialyzing via a catheter for 90 days or longer with no other access placed.

Monitoring AV grafts for stenosis should occur for 100% of HD patients utilizing AV grafts as their primary access.

In the 2007 Clinical Performance Measures Project, 99% of prevalent HD patients with AV grafts were being monitored for stenosis

page modified June 15, 2008