Vascular Access

Vascular access refers to the surgical insertion of a fistula or graft to provide access to the bloodstream for dialysis. Many dialysis patients have repeated problems with their vascular access, placing additional demands on the already-stretched health system.

Since 2005, the Provincial Vascular Access Services Team (PVAST) has worked to improve vascular access care across BC by developing provincial standards and supporting system changes.

The team has developed a range of tools and documents, including:

• province-wide quality improvement (QI) indicators

• guidelines and reports (including a VA clinic best practices report and a referral processes document)

• a series of teaching pamphlets for patients, and

• VA clinic forms.

The Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative (FFBI) in partnership with the National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP) has prepared a series of videos that may be useful to patients and care providers.

• Follow this link to view the videos