Team-based approach to arteriovenous access management

More than 800,000 people live with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in the United States, and the incidence continues to rise. Further, the treatment landscape is evolving due to increasing prevalence of risk factors, such as diabetes and the aging United States population. More than ever, the creation and management of hemodialysis accesses require a multidisciplinary, team-based approach to provide care effectively. However, there is limited available research on the effects of multidisciplinary team (MDT)-based care in arteriovenous (AV) access outcomes and there remains no widely accepted standard regarding the composition and function of the required processes within an MDT. This manuscript provides an overview of the current literature on MDTs in AV access care, utilizing 5 specific examples where an MDT would be especially pertinent for optimizing patient care and outcomes. Our findings suggest a benefit from initiating an MDT model in AV access care and highlight potential improvements in catheter-free days and patient and provider satisfaction.