Challenges in Hemodialysis: An Analytic Study of Nurses' Cannulation Failures

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Vascular Access Management
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Cannulation is crucial for hemodialysis but lacks standardized guidelines, leading to practice variations.
• Ensuring safe and effective vascular access management requires clinical expertise and consistent standards.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify patient and nurse variables linked to unsuccessful vascular access cannulations.
• To examine responses to cannulation failure in a Saudi Arabian tertiary dialysis center.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 228 adult hemodialysis patients' records (2020-2024).
• Inclusion of demographic, clinical, vascular access, and nursing data.
• Statistical analysis using descriptive statistics, chi-square, and t-tests.

Main Results:

• Infiltration (61%) and clot formation (30.7%) were primary complications.
• Vascular comorbidities like recurrent stroke and peripheral vascular disease were associated with failure.
• Nurse or patient demographics, experience, and education did not significantly impact cannulation success.

Conclusions:

• Vascular factors are more critical than staff variables in cannulation risk.
• Recommendations include tailored protocols, continuous nurse education, systematic vascular assessments, and team reviews.