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Body Access for Dialysis

A body access is the place on the body that connects to dialysis equipment. The access allows waste to be removed from the blood.

There are different types of body access for dialysis:

  • Arteriovenous (AV) fistula
  • Arteriovenous (AV) graft 
  • Central venous catheter
  • Peritoneal dialysis catheter

Purpose

We aim to make sure that all patients receiving dialysis have as few complications as possible. We do this by facilitating safe body access that is appropriate for the individual.

Major Initiatives

Quality Improvement Collaborative

This provincial network of dialysis nurses meets monthly to share lessons learned, and address challenges and opportunities for improving vascular access and home dialysis. One of the group’s initiatives focuses on reducing access-related infections, including lowering catheter-related bacteremia (CRB) rates and peritonitis rates.

Centres of Practice for Body Access Services

This pilot project aims to provide patients with timely access to high-quality body access procedures by facilitating their referral to one of 8 hospitals for access-related services.

Body Access Tools

Find forms, clinical guidance and education for healthcare providers, and fact sheets for patients, related to the delivery of body access services in Ontario.

View Body Access Tools

Vascular Access Surgery Wait Times

Learn about what we are doing to reduce wait times for vascular access surgery in Ontario.

View Vascular Access Surgery Wait Times

Vascular Access Education Program

This comprehensive online learning program trains nurses and others who cannulate to deliver safe care. Available free to all dialysis nurses in Ontario through the De Souza Institute.

Visit Vascular Access Education Program

Vein Preservation

Learn about our Save My Veins campaign to educate people living with chronic kidney disease about the importance of vein preservation, and types of vascular access.

View Vein Preservation

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