End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) - Fistula First

Hemodialysis is the most common treatment for End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). About 270,000 Medicare beneficiaries currently receive this treatment, and this number is expected to double by 2010. The best access for hemodialysis patients is a vein in the forearm that is enlarged by creating a fistula.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is leading a national initiative to increase the use of fistulas in providing hemodialysis for Medicare beneficiaries with kidney failure.

• Nutritional Management of CKD Patients - Bill McClellan, MD (ppt)
• Fistula First - Tift Regional Medical Center - May 13, 2008 Update (ppt)
  

• Introduction to Fistula First (mp3)
       Emily Arnold, BSN RN CNN CPHQ
       Southeastern Kidney Council (ESRD Network 6)
• Brochure (pdf)
• Fistula First Initiative
• CMS - Fistula First Breakthrough
• IHI - Boosting Arteriovenous (AV) Fistula Rates in ESRD Patients
• National Kidney Foundation of Georgia