ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & PROBLEMS: Patients who undergo new arteriovenous fistula (AVF) construction as part of their hemodialysis treatment program are required to perform hand exercises properly in order to maintain AVF function. However, poor performance of these hand exercises currently results in the failure of many patients to preserve AVF function. PURPOSE: To increase the rate of performing this hand exercise properly from 55% to 80%. RESOLUTION: A comprehensive investigation identified the following five main problems: (a) Insufficient muscular endurance; (b) Resistance was not labeled on the ball; (c) Difficulties with maintaining a grip on the ball during the exercise; (d) Lack of standardized education procedures; and (e) Nurses lack latest knowledge on the hand exercise. The strategies used to improve the situation included: (a) Interdisciplinary team cooperation with physiotherapists to design individualized resistance training regimens; (b) Exercise tool improvement; (c) Standardized AVF care; (d) Continuous education for nursing staffs; and (e) Seed teacher program for hand exercise. RESULTS: The rate of proper hand exercise performance increased from 55% to 93%. CONCLUSIONS: This nursing project involved an interdisciplinary team that included physiotherapists in order to successfully improve the rate at which the hand exercise was performed properly. This positive experience may be applied to other hemodialysis departments in the treatment of patients with AVF.
