CARE PLAN ASSESSMENT FOR NEW ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULA IN DIALYSIS NURSING
Mrs Yenty Yenty1, Mrs Amanda Keen2
1Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora Lakes, Rotorua, Aotearoa / New Zealand, 2Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora Lakes, Rotorua, Aotearoa / New Zealand
Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of the care plan for newly created arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) for hemodialysis (HD) treatment.
Background: In patients with end-stage renal disease requiring HD treatment, vascular access is crucial. Options include AVF, arteriovenous graft, and central venous catheter. AVF is preferred due to advantages such as increased longevity, lower infection rates, reduced risk of thrombosis, and associated morbidity and mortality. However, AVFs require time to mature for HD use.
Methods: This qualitative research was conducted at the Renal Satellite Unit in Rotorua Hospital, New Zealand, to evaluate a care plan used by nurses for monitoring new AVFs in HD treatment. Nurses completed an eight-week care plan for seven patients who underwent AVF surgeries since May 2023. Thirteen nurses participated, with data from twelve collected through structured questionnaire feedback and analyzed thematically. Themes focused on Familiarity of Use, Effectiveness of the Care Plan, and Recommendations for Improvement, to determine the care plan’s effectiveness in monitoring and evaluating new AVFs.
Findings: The evaluation of the care plan for new AVFs in dialysis nursing revealed varying degrees of feedback among nurses. While the care plan demonstrated effectiveness in guiding nursing practice and patient care, there is room for improvement to better support nurses in their clinical roles. By incorporating nurses’ feedback and making necessary adjustments, the care plan can better support nurses in providing high-quality care to patients with new AVF.
Conclusion: The evaluation of the care plan for new AVFs has provided valuable insights into its usability, effectiveness, and highlighted areas for improvement and optimization to meet the needs of nurses to monitor the new AVF, ultimately improving patient outcomes in HD treatment.
Biography:
YENTY YENTY RN, PGDIP, Clinical Nurse Educator, Renal Unit
AMANDA KEEN RN, PGDIP, Clinical Nurse Manager, Renal Unit;