Premier Surgical Exceeds National AVF Goals and Provides Better Living for Many Patients
Thursday, May 28, 2009
An Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) is a surgical connection of an artery to a vein, usually in the forearm or arm, created in patients requiring maintenance hemodialysis. The renal community recognizes AVFs as the preferred vascular access. AVFs last longer, need less rework or repairs, and are associated with lower rates of infection, hospitalization and death.
"AVFs are the gold standard for vascular access," said Dr. Christopher Pollock, a vascular surgeon at Premier Vascular Access & Imaging Center in Knoxville.
Recognizing the benefits to patients, a nationwide industry initiative - Fistula First - was created in 2003 with the help of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The campaign goal is for 66% of hemodialysis patients to have an AVF implant by 2009.
"I am pleased to report that Premier Surgical Associates far exceeded the Fistula First goal of 66 percent," said Pollock. "Our rate of AVF placement by the end of 2008 was 83 percent."
AVFs are created by surgically bringing a patient's vein and artery to the skin surface on the forearm to provide an entry and exit point for dialysis. Older methods include grafting, which is a transplanted artery and vein from another part of the body.
"This procedure is all about creating a healthier patient population," said Kevin Burris, CEO of Premier Surgical Associates. "We felt it was important to go above and beyond the standard."
Burris added that convincing patients to opt for the AVF is usually easy given the statistics.
The AVF Fistula First campaign estimates as many as 5,000 deaths could be prevented each year in America if more renal patients would use an AVF. Additionally, AVFs cost less to place and maintain than other forms of access and are associated with less complications requiring hospitalization. About 25 to 50 percent of all hemodialysis patient admissions and hospital days each year are related to vascular access complications. That adds up to over $1 billion in Medicare inpatient costs annually.
Premier also follows guidelines recommended by the Fistula First program for healthy maintenance of AVF and graft access. "Preventive care is a big priority," said Dr. Pollock. "We educate our patients on how to monitor and help maintain their access points to avoid infection and other complications."
For more information on the AV Fistula First initiative, visit http://www.fistulafirst.org.