Basic Needle Cannulation Training for Dialysis Staff

This article reviews the basic skills needed by all dialysis staff to correctly cannulate an AV fistula or PTFE graft. Ways to identify the two types of accesses and to determine the direction of bloodflow are described. Access site determination and preparation, needle placement and direction, and various cannulation techniques are explained and supported by illustrations. Complications are examined, as are possible treatments and ways to prevent recurrences. ow did you learn to cannulate a dialysis access? Most practicing nephrology nurses and techni-cians- myself included- had on-the-job training. We observed our preceptor cannulate different patients who had either grafts or fistulas, and then were handed the needles for our first cannulation attempt. Very little nursing research and/or literature is available for a preceptor to use when teaching the art of needle ca to b