Authors: (including presenting author): :
Hui KF(1), Wan WS(1)(2), Chu WL(1)(2), Lam S(1)(3), Lui SL(1)(3), Yip PST(1)(3)
Affiliation: :
(1) Renal unit, Tung Wah Hospital
(2) The Fellow of Hong Kong College of Medical Nursing
(3) Department of Medicine, Tung Wah Hospital
Keyword 3: :
vascular access
Keyword 6: :
arteriovenous fistula
Introduction: :
Kidney disease poses a significant and escalating global health and financial challenge. For most dialysis patients, an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) remains the preferred vascular access, despite concerns about high primary failure rates and delayed maturation. Ultrasound guidance has been shown to improve cannulation success and reduce iatrogenic injury, yet its use is not widespread among dialysis staff in Hong Kong. To address this gap, we developed a novel AUSCAN (Advanced Ultrasound Simulation for CANnulation) education workshop for dialysis nurses.
Objectives: :
To evaluate the impact of an AUSCAN education workshop on competency and confidence levels in ultrasound guided cannulation of dialysis nurses, and whether these outcomes correlate with patient's satisfaction rates.
Methodology: :
A pilot in-service education workshop on ultrasound-guided vascular access and cannulation was conducted at Tung Wah Hospital Renal Unit. 12 dialysis nurses (10 females, 2 males) participated in the program. The nurses received mentorship from an experienced Advanced Practice Nurse. The workshop curriculum included the fundamentals of ultrasonography, device familiarization, vascular identification, hands-on cannulation simulation using simulation models, and assessment of cannulation maturity. Participants completed pre- and post-workshop surveys to evaluate changes in competency, confidence, and knowledge. Patient satisfaction rates were also monitored, and correlations were analysed using Kendall's and Spearman's tests.
Result & Outcome: :
After AUSCAN workshop, dialysis nurses reported gained competency (85% confident) in using an ultrasound probe or identifying AVF access and gained confidence (90% somewhat confident) in assessing maturity of AV access on ultrasound. Correlations were found between patient satisfaction and nurses' confidence in applying ultrasound (all p>0.05). AUSCAN workshop demonstrated success in knowledge transfer. 90% of dialysis nurses improved cannulation application knowledge using ultrasound, 95% enhanced understanding and 80% reported reduced stress during application.
