Preventing infections in hemodialysis fistula and graft vascular accesses.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has placed a strong focus on vascular access infections by relating dialysis access infections to patient quality of life and access longevity. Hemodialysis providers are challenged to assess, identify, monitor, and prevent access infections. Education and practice changes can decrease the risk of an access infection and preserve a patient's access for many years. Knowledge is an armored suit when winning a battle to protect a lifeline by staff and patients as a team.