Reducing Long-Term Catheter (LTC) Use

This Catheter Tracking form (XLSX) tracks the number of catheters in the facility by month. Use this tracker when completing your monthly reporting to the Network via Survey Monkey link.

Use the QAPI QIA Monitoring Form for tracking the number of patients >90 days who are eligible and who have been referred for a permanent access, and for discussion of progress toward goals during QAPI meetings.

CDC Catheter Care Tools

• Audit Tool: Catheter Connection and Disconnection Observations (For monthly reporting)
• Checklist: Hemodialysis Catheter Connection
• Checklist: Hemodialysis Catheter Disconnection
• Hemodialysis Central Venous Catheter Scrub-the-Hub Protocol

CDC Catheter Exit Site Tools

• Audit Tool: Catheter Exit Site Care Observations (For monthly reporting)
• Checklist: Hemodialysis Catheter Exit Site Care

CDC Infection Protection Tools Page
This page includes additional links to all CDC infection protection tools, including core interventions, the Scrub-the-Hub Protocol, all audit tools and checklists, as well as clinician education.

Vascular Access Consultation Appointment Sheet
This appointment sheet is a helpful way to remind and encourage patients to seek a vascular access consultation. 

Vascular Access Options (English/Spanish)
This patient handout illustrates the vascular access options for patients. Review this handout with your patients upon admission to educate them on dialysis access types and to help keep track of their next vascular access appointment.

Vascular Access Manager Job Description (PDF) A sample job description for staff offering suggested roles and responsibilities of a Vascular Access Manager (VAM).  This tool is designed to assist facilities in designating the role of a VAM to a staff member for more efficient tracking and monitoring of vascular accesses.

Helping Patients Cope with Needle Fear (PDF) This one-page document explains the reality of needle fear and offers tips for staff in helping to reduce the fear of needles.

Your CVC: What You Need to Know—Caring for Your Dialysis Catheter
This tri-fold brochure is for patients who have a central venous catheter (CVC). It provides important information on CVC care, signs of problems, problem solving tips, and other important things to remember about their CVC. 

Hemodialysis Vascular Access (English/Spanish)
The resource lists the advantages and disadvantages to each hemodialysis vascular access type. Use this handout to educate patients and staff members about the different vascular access types.

Sepsis Zone Tool
This one-page document specifies and categorizes symptoms of sepsis and actions to be taken if those symptoms manifest by green—No Signs of Infection, yellow—Caution, and re—Medical Alert.

Sepsis Zone Tool—Spanish
This one-page document specifies and categorizes symptoms of sepsis and actions to be taken if those symptoms manifest by green—No Signs of Infection, yellow—Caution, and re—Medical Alert.

Additional Tips for Needle Fear (PDF) (English/Spanish) This document offers strategies to help patients overcome the fear of needles so they can use their permanent dialysis access for dialysis treatments.