Blogs

"Expert" cannulators

By Debra LaDue posted 01-18-2012 07:52

  
As newly appointed access coordinator for a large hospital based outpatient dialysis center, I am preparing to competency staff and choose "expert" cannulators to access new AVFs and deal with difficult accesses.  My question is, what exactly is the criteria for an "expert".  Everyone has isssues occasionally and everyone feels that they are great cannulators.  I am already seeing "dissention among the ranks" at the idea of expert cannulators.  I saw the Fistula First template, but wondered if anyone could share any experiences they have had so that the staff don't see this as being in any way degrading to them.  Patient welfare comes first, but would like to keep egos intact whenever possible.  Any help would be appreciated and thank you in advance.
1 comment
362 views

Permalink

Comments

05-11-2012 09:07

Our current guidelines: Novice: Must complete 10 cannulations with two needles and no complications for fistulas and 10 for grafts to become a level II cannulator. With a minimum of 6 months of experience and a good cannulation record, the cannulator is once again observed by an expert or educator x 10 more cannulations on difficult patients. If successful * can now be classified as a expert cannulator. Our egos do seem to get us into a bit of a bind, sometimes, but most nurses we have are well aware of their limitations and request assistance on difficult patients with less than ideal access.