For over 50,000 dialysis patients, their primary “lifeline” is a “graft”. By repeated cannulation, the graft material weakens.
In time, most grafts fail. A new lifeline is required. The improved approach to extend the graft's longevity is as follows:
An Outline of the graft is traced on transparency film. This graph includes:
• Alert Areas (graft areas to avoid)
• Interval IDs (areas suitable for cannulation)
Using the Outline, the Rotation Order (sequence of Interval IDs for cannulation, per treatment) is defined.
Example:
If the “Interval IDs” on the A/V graft are sequentially labeled “A1 to A7”, “M” (midpoint), and, “V1 to V7”,
then the Rotation Order can be: "A1/V1 » A5/V5 » A2/V2 » A4/V4 » A7/V7 » A3/V3 » A6/V6. Repeat."
The resulting Outline and Rotation Order is called a "Cannulation Care Plan"
Each successive cannulation site is indicated (graphed) on the Outline.
Raw Materials to define Cannulation Care Plans (Stage 1):
• 3M Write-on Transparency Film AF4300 (media for “Draft” use, during Stage 1)
• 3M Multipurpose Transparency Film CG6000 (media for Cannulation Care Plans)
• Free Printable Paper at http://www.printablepaper.net (Category “Graph Paper”):
>> Download: “Graph Paper with one line per centimeter on letter-sized paper”
>> Print the above grid onto the CG6000 Transparency Film
• Sharpie® Retractable marker pens (permanent, black), Ultra Fine (UF) and Fine
• Q-tips® (lightly moisten with alcohol to erase permanent ink from TF)
• Scotch® Double-Sided Tape, ½”, permanent, clear (to tape TFs, side-by-side)
Raw Materials for implementation (Stage 2):
• Medline Skin Marker, #DYNJSM05 (to mark desirable cannulation sites)
• Sharpie® Retractable marker pens (permanent, black), Ultra Fine (for “Dots”)
Practitioners or others may request a single-patient "Start-up Kit" at my cost ($35), which includes:
Limit one kit per practitioner or family: It's easy to get raw materials on-iine to make kits yourself.