Vascular access

"I think it's important. The vascular access audit means I will get better care for my patients."
Richard Fluck, Renal Consultant, Derby Hospitals NHS Trust

The National Kidney Care Audit measures information on vascular access for patients with established renal failure. Making sure every renal haemodialysis patient has appropriate vascular access will improve outcomes and reduce infection.

The audit aims to help make sure that clinical guidelines are met for all patients by:

  • highlighting current performance
  • encouraging the adoption of best practice
  • improving performance to meet national guidelines

The NHS Information Centre worked closely with the UK Renal Registry to collect local and national data.

The results of the 2011 Vascular Access Report are now available.

What did it involve?

The 2010 audit period covers patients starting dialysis for end stage renal failure. It includes patients returning to dialysis from transplantation. The period covered was 1 January 2010 until 30 June 2010 inclusive.

The submission process was recently changed and all units were invited to submit their data via a simple spreadsheet. A copy of the submission spreadsheet can be found below, alongside a letter explaining the change to the submission process and a Frequently Asked Questions sheet.

A 'Thank You' goes out to all units who responded positively to the new submission method and submitted data to the Vascular Access audit by the deadline. The submission deadline was Monday 31 January 2011 and a list of units that submitted can be viewed below;