Cannulation Care Plans

Executive Summary of the Approach to Graph Cannulation

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

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”) 

Order a Start-up Kit

Practitioners or others may request a single-patient "Start-up Kit" at my cost ($35), which includes: 

  • all of the above raw materials for one patient
  • reprint of the procedure (D&T copyright fee paid)
  • shipping via FedEx Saver or US Priority Mail

Limit one kit per practitioner or family: It's easy to get raw materials on-iine to make kits yourself.  

"An Improved Approach to Graph Cannulation"

LINK