Fistula First - Educational Tools & Resources
Fistula or Catheter: The Patient's Perspective
Booklet
Through a series of focus groups, real dialysis patients share their stories of working with their health care teams to make the choice of the best form of vascular access. Their stories show that what a person thinks does not necessarily reflect what they or others will experience. Hopefully, by learning from other patient experiences, you will be better able to make fact-based decisions when choosing the best form of vascular access for your care.
Patient Educational Video (VHS or DVD)
Dialysis Patients Speak: A Conversation About the Importance of AV Fistulas
We are proud announce a wonderful new educational video created by your colleagues right here in New England!
In the 12-minute video, designed exclusively for patient audiences old and new, you will see renal professionals you may recognize and real dialysis patients telling their access stories from the heart. It is humorous, moving and educational. There is major emphasis on placement and use of AVF as a first blood access, and strong cautionary tales about catheters. The conversational style of the video is non-threatening, sincere and candid. Our hope is that your patients see the video and are encouraged to have discussions about vascular access choices.
Vasclar Access Passport & Vein Protection Card
The Vascular Access Passport was designed to help summarize all of the details necessary for an ESRD patient and their health team to attain and maintain the life of their hemodialysis access.
The Vein Protect Card was designed to help keep a hemodialysis patient's access healthy. It is important for persons with kidney disease, or another condition affecting kidneys, to protect the blood vessels in one of their arms. These veins will be important for access to their bloodstream if they require hemodialysis at some time in the future.
