Reducing Long-Term Catheter (LTC) Use

Following are links to tools that will assist you in achieving your LTC reduction goals:

Orientation

For an overview of LTC Quality Improvement Activity (QIA) goals, inclusion criteria, interventions, reporting requirements, best practices, and more, view the 2020 LTC QIA Orientation Webinar slide deck (PDF).

Catheter Tracking Form

• 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.

QAPI Resources

• Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) QIA Monitoring Form
  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.

Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) Resources

• 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.

Other Provider Resources

• 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.

Patient Resources

• Benefits of Having Permanent Access
  This document outlines the many benefits patients have shared for having a permanent dialysis access.
  English (PDF)
  Spanish (PDF)
  
  
• 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.