ABSTRACT
Fig. 5.1 A. The low utilization of the native AV fistulae and common use of dialysis catheters for chronic dialysis reflect many ESRD background system problem issues. (ESRD Network 14 data, used with permission)
< 10% 10-19% 20-29% 30-40% >40% Texas Facility Percent Patients Utilizing Catheter Average
n=238 Facilities. 1998 CDC Annual Survey
Fig. 5.1 B. The system problem is dramatically exemplified by the sharp differences between catheter use at different dialysis units. Thirty five percent of all centers utilize catheters as dialysis access in more than 20% of the patients. A few centers utilize catheters for chronic dialysis in more than 50% of their patients.
