POS-593 ISN SISTER RENAL CENTRES PROGRAMME: ESTABLISHING AND SUSTAINING TUNNELLED VENOUS DIALYSIS LINE PLACEMENT IN PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA

Abstract

Under the auspices of the International Society of Nephrology Sisters Renal Centres programme, Renal centres from Port Harcourt, Nigeria and Salford UK have maintained collaboration in various aspects of kidney care. A key issue in sustaining dialysis care in a lower middle income economy is access for haemodialysis (HD). Before this project all HD access was via temporary femoral vein lines inserted for a single dialysis session. Pre-visit video conferencing provided educational and planning opportunities in the delivery of peritoneal dialysis for acute kidney injury (AKI). A Nigerian kidney doctor in training visited the UK centre to gain first-hand experience of line insertion techniques. An initial visit to the sister hospital was undertaken by UK nephrologists with special interests in dialysis and interventional nephrology. A pop-up dialysis access workshop was undertaken in the dialysis unit over 3 days for junior and senior doctors and members of the multi-disciplinary team: Didactic teaching on dialysis access methods Small group teaching on the basics of HD, PD and prescriptions Simple and sustainable training tools for basic surgical procedures, HD and PD catheter insertion and Seldinger technique Dialysis access ultrasound training with volunteers examining abdominal anatomy and vascular access imaging Hands on training with simple access phantoms, made from accessible materials for ongoing practice. Tunnelled haemodialysis line insertion was achieved by local and visiting nephrologists, unique to the dialysis centre which normally relies on temporary femoral venous access. All three patients achieved successful permanent venous line access without complication. The local nephrologist was able to place catheters with the visiting interventional nephrologist closely supervising. The procedures were recorded to allow analysis and reflection on the procedures. Since the 4 lines have been successfully inserted by the local nephrologist. This has been supported with ongoing video and telephone links. This has allowed continued updates on technique, difficulties and complications. One episode of local exit site bleeding was encountered and managed with follow up calls and advice. Covid 19 has precluded the planned follow up visits. This has highlighted the issues of keeping colleagues up to date and maintaining skills when practice is significantly altered. The collaboration is investing in more robust internet communication to facilitate teaching and mentorship while planning the next part of the project to establish a peritoneal dialysis programme. Significant gains have been made on our journey to establishing long term HD vascular access for the dialysis patients in Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, despite the major obstacles faced.