Open AccessHemodialysis vascular access care during the COVID-19 pandemic
Author(s) -
Chih Yu Yang,
Yi Fang Wang,
Yang Ho,
Chung Hsin Wu,
Chiu Yang Lee,
Der Cherng Tarng
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of the chinese medical association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.535
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1728-7731
pISSN - 1726-4901
DOI - 10.1097/jcma.0000000000000348
Subject(s) - medicine , hemodialysis , pandemic , dialysis , intensive care medicine , covid-19 , disease , infection control , end stage renal disease , emergency medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , infectious disease (medical specialty) , nursing
Dialysis patients are more vulnerable and susceptible to the severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection due to multiple comorbidities. Since Taiwan has the highest incidence and prevalence of treated end-stage kidney disease worldwide, it is crucial to act in advance to prevent a potential disaster. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we implement proactive infection control measures to prevent it from spreading without sacrificing the dialysis care quality. In this article, we focused on hemodialysis vascular access (HVA) care in particular. As a life-line of hemodialysis (HD) patients, HVA care has a profound impact on the patient's quality of dialysis and life. Specifically, in our facility, the working and office areas of the HD units are separated to reduce cross-infection. All elective procedures for HVA are postponed, and operating rooms equipped with a negative-pressure anteroom are used for the suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients. Herein, we share how we modified our HVA care policy not only to prevent our patients from COVID-19 infection but also to maintain the quality of HVA care.