CRNA Awareness of Evidence-Based Anesthetic Practices for Arteriovenous Fistula Procedures

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease and the need for hemodialysis present frequent challenges for patients, providers, and the healthcare system. For dialysis to be successful, arteriovenous fistula maturation is of the utmost importance. However, variability in anesthetic practices has contributed to inconsistent outcomes. This doctoral project aimed to address that variability by enhancing anesthesia providers’ awareness of evidence-based anesthetic practices for arteriovenous fistula procedures. By designing and providing an educational seminar, this doctoral project demonstrated measurable improvements in anesthesia providers’ knowledge. The improvements were measured through a pre- and post- seminar questionnaire. The results showed statistically significant gains across five of the six questionnaire items, with positive trends on the sixth. These results confirm that a knowledge gap existed among anesthesia providers, and that an educational module was able to highlight and bridge the gap. The doctoral project was able to address a meaningful gap in anesthetic practice by successfully enhancing anesthesia provider awareness regarding evidence-based anesthetic approaches to AV fistula procedures. The educational seminar showed the value of education and how it can influence practice change. By providing anesthesia providers with current evidence, this doctoral project advances the goal of improving vascular access outcomes for patients requiring life-sustaining hemodialysis