Predialysis education program and early vascular access: a single center experience

Aims: The main objective of this study is to investigate the impact of a pre-dialysis education program on the selection of vascular access during the initiation of maintenance hemodialysis therapy and the short-term impact of this education on patient outcomes. Methods: The data were collected from two different times in the past from patients under maintenance hemodialysis: the first group consisted of a group of patients who received a predialysis education program (intervention group) from a dedicated nephrologist, and the second group included those who did not undergo a control program (control group). Predialysis education program involved six modules addressing understanding kidney disease, diet, and nutrition, treatment options for end-stage kidney disease, dialysis procedures, medication management, and self-care/independence. Patients aged ≥18 years were enrolled in the study. The patients were compared according to their clinical status during the onset of maintenance hemodialysis, including vascular access type, serum potassium level, previous hospitalization, and urgent hemodialysis need. Additionally, the hospitalization and infection rates within 6 months following the onset of maintenance hemodialysis were compared. P