Risk of Vascular Access Infection Associated With Buttonhole Cannulation of Fistulas: Data From the National Healthcare Safety Network.

Rationale & Objective: Compared with conventional (rope-ladder cannulation [RLC]) methods, use of buttonhole cannulation (BHC) to access arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) may be associated with increased risk for bloodstream infection and other vascular access-related infection. We used national surveillance data to evaluate the infection burden and risk among in-center hemodialysis patients with AVFs using BHC.

Study Design: Descriptive analysis of infections and related events and retrospective observational cohort study using National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) surveillance data.

National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Dialysis Event Surveillance Report for 2014.

Background And Objectives: Persons receiving outpatient hemodialysis are at risk for bloodstream and vascular access infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducts surveillance for these infections through the National Healthcare Safety Network. We summarize 2014 data submitted to National Healthcare Safety Network Dialysis Event Surveillance.

Sustained Infection Reduction in Outpatient Hemodialysis Centers Participating in a Collaborative Bloodstream Infection Prevention Effort.

Among dialysis facilities participating in a bloodstream infection (BSI) prevention collaborative, access-related BSI incidence rate improvements observed immediately following implementation of a bundle of BSI prevention interventions were sustained for up to 4 years. Overall, BSI incidence remained unchanged from baseline in the current analysis. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:863-866.

Completeness of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infection Reporting From Outpatient Hemodialysis Facilities to the National Healthcare Safety Network, 2013.

Reports of bloodstream infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among chronic hemodialysis patients to 2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance systems (National Healthcare Safety Network Dialysis Event and Emerging Infections Program) were compared to evaluate completeness of reporting. Many methicillin-resistant S. aureus bloodstream infections identified in hospitals were not reported to National Healthcare Safety Network Dialysis Event.