Patient awareness

Involving patients in care of their vascular access forms part of the Clinical Practice Recommendation for Needling of Arteriovenous Fistulae and Grafts for Haemodialysis.

Awareness materials were developed as part of the MAGIC project to help raise awareness of arteriovenous (AV) access care and mangement for patients.

Tips on implementing the MAGIC patient awareness materials

1. Patient involvement - have discussions with a group of patients about the best way to implement the posters and cards

2. Posters - display in patient facing areas

3. Cards - give patients appropriate cards and talk through what they mean

4. Cards – encourage patient to always carry the card

5. Use 'named nurse initiative' – discuss the important of ropeladder and buttonhole needling techniques

6. Dialysis starter/ information packs - insert posters and cards into dialysis information packs and dialysis starter packs

7. Regular patient updates - Update patient knowledge and understanding by having three monthly updates