An innovative technology for safe needle disconnection after hemodialysis

Vascular access care is a key topic for hemodialysis patients. The most cost-effective and lasting vascular access for chronic hemodialysis is the native arteriovenous fistula (AVF); however, bleeding after dialysis session from puncture site is a relevant problem. Achieving hemostasis is necessary and requires hand compression by the nurse or the patient if he or she is capable and cooperative.

We assessed a new vascular closure device, VITACLIP® (Serumwerk Bernburg Vertriebs GmbH) that is an adhesive silicone seal device, which can be set onto the skin and punctured by dialysis needle. After withdrawal of the needle, VITACLIP® prevents bleeding from the punctured vessels, making hand compression unnecessary.

We used this device in 5 chronic hemodialysis patients with native lateral-terminal AVFs. The patients' hemodialysis prescription and anticoagulants dose were not changed. This device allowed puncture of vascular access without complications such as bleeding at the end of hemodialysis; we did not observe any mechanical complications due to needle dislocation or any dermatological lesions at skin puncture site. However, the cannulation proved to be more difficult for the nurses with this device because the silicone hampers identification of the vessel for puncture for deeper AVFs.

This device helps patient management and improves patient safety by reducing the risk of AVF bleeding at the end of dialysis, decreasing the risk of staff contact with patients' blood, and theoretically eliminating the risk of massive bleeding in the case of an inadvertent needle dislodgement going unnoticed during treatment.