Outcomes for Successful Cannulation of the Arteriovenous Fistula: Perspectives from Patients on Hemodialysis.

There is a lack of consensus in the literature on what constitutes successful arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation outcomes from the patient perspective. The purpose of this study was to describe what successful cannulation means to patients on hemodialysis. A qualitative descriptive approach was used. A purposeful sample of 17 patients dialyzing with an AVF participated in one face-to-face interview. Using content analysis, four themes were identified that impact the patient experience in defining successful cannulation: 1) an emotional response - pain and anxiety, 2) a 'friendly' nurse-patient relationship, 3) nursing interventions/technical skills during cannulation, and 4) the impact of the environment. Results provide valuable insight into what patients define as successful cannulation, recognizing that it goes beyond the actual needle insertion procedure.