Vasc-Alert is proud of its recent release of the Vascular Access Report Card, a new tool provided to all centers utilizing Vasc-Alert’s data-driven approach to patient dialysis care.
The Vasc-Alert Vascular Access Report Card is a valuable document that provides crucial information about a patient's access and their Access Risk Score. This report enables dialysis clinicians to engage in meaningful discussions with patients regarding their vascular access surveillance and care. Patients may not always be aware that surveillance is being conducted within the dialysis setting, as Vasc-Alert operates as a data-driven program. By sharing the Vascular Access Report Card and the Patient Detail Report, which includes a graph displaying six months' worth of surveillance results, clinicians can effectively educate patients about the functionality of their accesses. In cases where the Access Risk Score is elevated, it is important to refer the patient for access evaluation according to established protocols in certain regions. Both English and Spanish versions of the Report Card are available, ensuring that this helpful tool transcends language barriers.
By reviewing the reports and observing trends, patients with elevated scores can be made aware of the potential risks of stenosis and thrombosis to their accesses. Consequently, they can be advised to seek evaluation and treatment at an access center, interventional radiology department, or through a surgeon.
The concept of report cards is not foreign to dialysis centers and patients, as dietary report cards have been utilized for a considerable time within the dialysis community. The Vasc-Alert report card serves as a readily accessible tool that healthcare staff can employ for vascular access education among all patients or selectively for "at-risk" patients while facilitating communication during referral processes. When the reports are available during physician rounds and the physician suggests a referral, they can complete and sign the report card, effectively providing a written order for action to be taken by the nurse. However, if the report is solely intended for patient education, a signature is not required.
Certain centers have inquired about the necessity of having paper copies of the reports for charting purposes. Historically, it has not been mandatory to possess a physical copy of a patient's surveillance report in their chart, as long as surveyors could access the information electronically. For instance, when a surveyor inquires about the surveillance method employed for monitoring a patient's AV access, healthcare professionals could log into Vasc-Alert and present the reports to the surveyor. Whether or not a hard copy is included in the chart remains at the discretion of individual center oversight.
In addition to the report card, Vasc-Alert provides a patient education document that offers detailed explanations of the information presented in the Patient Detail Report, such as an overview of Vasc-Alert, its functioning, and the significance of the Access Risk Score, including its purpose and the validation study conducted. The report card serves as a flexible tool that centers can adapt according to their own vascular access management practices. Caregivers can utilize all these documents to educate patients on the importance of ongoing vascular access surveillance and how to respond to abnormal results, in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
Vasc-Alert remains at the forefront, driving innovation and setting new benchmarks for excellence in vascular access surveillance. Their comprehensive tools and dedicated clinical staff provide healthcare professionals with the confidence and resources needed to deliver exceptional care to patients, ultimately enhancing their overall dialysis experience. With a wealth of expertise and a deep understanding of the unique challenges in vascular access management, they provide unparalleled support and guidance to healthcare professionals, ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of care throughout their dialysis journey.
In choosing Vasc-Alert, healthcare providers gain a trusted partner, a pioneer in data-driven care, and a driving force in elevating the standard of vascular access management. With Vasc-Alert, the future of dialysis care is brighter, safer, and more effective than ever before.