Buttonhole Cannulation of Arteriovenous Fistulas: a Dialysis Nurse’s Perspective

Should Buttonhole Cannulation of Arteriovenous Fistulas Be Used? Moderator Commentary

“…A consistent protocol for disinfection, scab removal and dressing and use of personal protective equipment needs to be created. A number of rather stringent cannulation protocols have been advocated by expert cannulators to achieve this 'highly technical' task of scab removal, which can reduce the infection risk of BHC if followed religiously and consistently (17,18). Use of antibacterial ointments like mupirocin should be considered to reduce bacteremia related to staphylococcal colonization of the BHC track (19).…”