BRS Guidelines
Please see below Guidelines that have been either developed or endorsed by the British Renal Society.
Use of Buttonhole Technique for Cannulation of Arteriovenous Fistulae
by: BRS Vascular Access Special Interest Group
09.06.16
This is practical guidance for buttonhole cannulation, developed by consensus of a multi-professional team and intended to support the uptake of buttonhole technique and increase understanding to mitigate associated risk.
Home HD Reimbursement Guidlines
National Home Adaptation and Reimbursement Guidance for People Undertaking Dialysis at Home
New practical guidance for home adaptation and reimbursement for people undertaking dialysis at home
The British Renal Society in collaboration with the National Kidney Federation, British Kidney Patient Association, Association of Renal Technologist and British Association of Social Workers has produced new guidance for reimbursement for home therapies.
These practical guidelines outline the responsibilities of the provider (NHS Trusts) for the capital costs of home adaptation and on-going assistance with funding for utility costs due to haemodialysis/automated peritoneal dialysis treatment and are designed to support service specifications for home therapies.
Managing Life-Threatening Haemorrhage of Arterio-venous Fistula (AVF) and Arterio-venous Grafts (AVG)
Due to several reported incidents of life-threatening haemorrhages the BRS Vascular Access Special Interest Group (BRS VA SIG) have produced some short recommendations on preventing and managing life-threatening haemorrhage (LTH) from arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) and grafts (AVG)
These recommendations relate to bleeding from an AVF or AVG that does not resolve with ‘normal’ pressure applied to the bleeding site.
They are not related to minor bleeds from cannulation sites or venous needle dislodgement. Whilst this is a rare occurrence, when it occurs it can become life-threatening rapidly and is traumatic for patients, family, friends and renal units.
The main aims of the recommendations are to prevent LTH from AVF and AVG through early detection of warning signs supported with prompt referral systems for treatment to prevent catastrophic harm to patients.
The key message is that help should be sought from emergency services immediately.
The recommendations are part of a larger project examining this risk, so further information, detail and products will be available in the future.