How data can help reduce vascular access events

Thrombosis is the leading cause of access dysfunction and is expensive to treat. In 2011, only 10 AV access capable patients in our center were placed on a bridge catheter because of our ability to assess health and proactively use angioplasty to keep it open. Surveillance also helped us follow the progression of new fistula maturation and helped us decide on early intervention to prevent total, access failure. The Sparrow Center documented successful results with the selection of a new surveillance system that dramatically improved the quality of patient care and financial viability of the center. For dialysis center staffs looking for ways to operate more efficiently and at the same time reduce the incidence of vascular access complications caused by thrombosis, a data-driven surveillance device along with clinical monitoring protocols seems to provide a cost effective approach to addressing this critical area of patient care.