Pacific Northwest First to Reach Historic AV Fistula Benchmark

Northwest Renal Network, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to promoting optimal dialysis and transplant care for kidney patients in the Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, is the first ESRD Network in the nation to reach and surpass the his


PACIFIC NORTHWEST FIRST TO REACH HISTORIC BENCHMARK
Network 16 has Nation’s Highest AV Fistula Rate

SEATTLE, WA-Northwest Renal Network, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to promoting optimal dialysis and transplant care for kidney patients in the Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, is the first ESRD Network in the nation to reach and surpass the historic benchmark of 66% Arteriovenous fistula (AV fistula) rate for prevalent dialysis patients. Northwest Renal Network currently has an AV fistula rate exceeding 66.5%--almost 10% above the national average.

When individuals lose their kidney function, kidney dialysis is the predominant therapy to cleanse the blood and sustain life. There are currently almost 11,000 dialysis patients within the Northwest Renal Network, and each patient must have a dialysis access-site where the patient’s bloodstream is accessed. There are three types of vascular access: AV fistula, the surgical joining of a vein and artery; AV graft, an artificial piece of tubing surgically placed between an artery and a vein; and hemodialysis catheter, a tube placed into a large blood vessel in the patients’ neck or chest. AV fistulas are considered the gold standard for hemodialysis vascular access based on their superior patency, low complication rates, improved adequacy, decreased risk of patient mortality, and lower cost to the healthcare system. While hemodialysis catheters do not require needle insertion for dialysis, infection rates are highest among individuals who use a catheter for dialysis. According to the Centers for Disease Control “infections are one of the leading causes of hospitalization and the second leading cause of death for hemodialysis patients.”

In 2003, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) launched Fistula First with the goal of increasing the use of AV fistulas in eligible patients. Both CMS and the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (NKF/KDOQI) set a national goal of 66% AV fistula rate for the United States. Currently the national AV fistula rate is 57.5%. The Northwest Renal Network is the first and only ESRD Network to meet and surpass the 66% AV fistula goal.

“We are thrilled that the Northwest Renal Network leads the country in AV fistula rates,” stated Dr. Margaret Eddy, Chairperson of Northwest Renal Network. “This has taken tremendous hard work and dedication by those within the Network. However, for the health and safety of our region’s patients, we as a community must continue to reduce the number of catheters and increase the number of AV fistulas utilized for dialysis.”

Education and collaboration amongst all parties involved has been crucial to AV fistula placement and maturation. In-person training, webinars, informational toolkits and other resources promoting best practices for vascular access are provided to facilities.

“Our experience has shown that without buy-in from nephrologists and clinical staff, AV fistula rates are lower,” stated Lynda Ball, Northwest Renal Network’s Quality Improvement Director. “Providing information on best practices and promoting collaboration between all parties involved is essential.”

While Northwest Renal Network has exceeded the national AV Fistula goal, it will continue to work with the community to reduce catheter rates and lead the nation in AV fistula rates. To learn more about the Network’s AV fistula activities visit www.nwrenalnetwork.org.
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About the Northwest Renal Network:
Established in 1978, Northwest Renal Network is a private, not-for-profit corporation independent of any dialysis company, individual unit, or transplant center. The Network’s mission is to promote optimal dialysis and transplant care for kidney patients in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, the Network collects and analyzes data on patients enrolled in the Medicare ESRD program, serves as an information resource, and monitors the quality of care given to dialysis and transplant patients in the Pacific Northwest.
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Company Contact Information
Northwest Renal Network
Chad Lennox
4702 42nd Avenue SW
98116
206.923.0714

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