Miss Amanda J Rowe1
1Hunter New England Health District, Newcastle, Australia
Biography:
I am the Acting Clinical Nurse Educator in the Nephrology Department at Hunter New England Health. I support clinical staff across acute inpatient dialysis and hospital settings, as well as community dialysis units and outpatient clinics. Previously, I worked in the home training unit, educating patients undertaking dialysis at home. I have over 13 years of experience in renal nursing, with a strong focus on education, quality improvement, and improving dialysis access outcomes.
Abstract:
Background:
Ultrasound-guided cannulation of arteriovenous fistulas and grafts (AVF/AVG) is an important skill in renal nursing practice, supporting vascular access preservation and patient safety. In our renal unit, no formal educational pathway existed for learning ultrasound-guided cannulation, resulting in low staff confidence and inconsistent use of ultrasound during cannulation.
Aim:
This quality improvement project aimed to improve renal nursing staff confidence in using ultrasound-guided cannulation for AVF/AVG through the implementation of a structured education and competency pathway.
Methods:
A pre-intervention survey was distributed to nursing staff to assess baseline confidence levels in ultrasound-guided cannulation. An educational intervention was then introduced, consisting of an online in-service focused on ultrasound principles, machine use, and cannulation technique. This was followed by supervised practice and formal competency assessment conducted in collaboration with the renal education team. After completion of the pathway, a post-intervention survey was administered to evaluate changes in staff confidence.
Results:
Post-intervention survey results demonstrated a significant increase in staff confidence when using ultrasound for AVF/AVG cannulation. Staff reported improved understanding of ultrasound use, increased willingness to attempt ultrasound-guided cannulation, and greater perceived competence in identifying vascular structures. The structured pathway provided clarity and consistency in skill acquisition and assessment.
Conclusion:
The introduction of a formal education and competency pathway significantly improved nursing staff confidence in ultrasound-guided cannulation within the renal unit. This quality improvement initiative highlights the value of structured education in enhancing nursing capability and supports broader adoption of ultrasound-guided cannulation to improve vascular access outcomes in renal nursing practice.