Vascular access surgery for maintenance hemodialysis. Variables in hospital stay

Access surgery in support of maintenance hemodialysis is a major factor contributing to prolonged hospitalization in the hemodialysis patient population. In surveying 140 consecutive patients admitted for access surgery, average length of stay was 14 days, independent of race or underlying cause of renal disease. Extended length of stay was most commonly encountered in older patients admitted for thrombosed fistulae or grafts. Postoperative fever, the need for repeated femoral catheterization, delay in access revision or placement due to infection, and the need for adequate social service support resulted in prolonged hospitalization. Understanding and preventing factors that prolong hospitalization may allow the minimization of length of stay in the future and improve quality of life for the end-stage renal disease patient, while also decreasing the cost of care.