Diaverum presents insights into the psychological aspects of AV fistula usage at EDTNA/ERCA Conference 2012
Munich / Strasbourg, 14 September 2012 — Diaverum, one of the world’s leading renal care providers, is hosting a session at the EDTNA/ERCA Conference 2012 where medical experts will present dialysis patients’ experiences of having an arterio-venous (AV) fistula. These findings are based on a recent study conducted amongst Diaverum patients in three countries.
A well-functioning vascular access is a necessity for adequate dialysis. The AV fistula, which is the preferable type of vascular access for haemodialysis patients, is surgically created by connecting an artery to a vein.
Dr Jörgen Hegbrant, Chief Medical Officer at Diaverum, says that in nephrology, research often focuses on medical aspects, neglecting social, emotional and physiological aspects. “To improve the quality of life for renal patients, these are crucial factors that need to be taken into account. This is why we are basing our scientific research on the individual needs of our patients. The survey on patients’ experiences with AV fistulas is another step towards understanding these needs and demands better,” Jörgen explained.
The study, which was conducted in three clinics within the Diaverum network of 250 clinics worldwide, focused on the following aspects:
- investigating the cosmetic issues that patients face as a result of their haemodialysis AV access;
- investigating the patient’s perception of pain and anxiety during AV fistula cannulation;
- evaluating whether a change of the cannulation technique improves the patient’s experience with the AV fistula.
The results of the study — which will be presented within the Diaverum Corporate Education Session (CES) at EDTNA/ERCA 2012 — show how the patients feel and how the AV fistula experience can be improved. In particular, medical staff working with renal patients on a daily basis will benefit from this session.
The Diaverum CES takes place on Monday, 17 September 2012, at 14:00 CET. The full agenda and programme can be found at http://corp.diaverum.com/node/1089. More information about EDTNA/ERCA Conference 2012 is available at http://www.edtnaerca.org/ .
The 41st EDTNA/ERCA International Conference takes place from Saturday, 15 September, until Tuesday, 18 September, in Strasbourg, France. This year’s conference theme is “Global Advances in Renal Care: Economic and Quality Impact of Disease Management”.
The EDTNA/ERCA Conference brings together an international mix of renal professionals, industry partners, national association representatives and universities. Diaverum has been a partner of the conference for several years. Industry symposia and industry-supported sessions, such as the Diaverum CES, are a key part of the Conference Scientific Programme.
Press Contact
Ulrike Beringer
Director External Communication
E-mail: Ulrike.beringer@diaverum.com
Phone: +49 (89) 45 24 44 - 124
About Diaverum
At Diaverum, our mission is to improve the quality of life for renal patients by revitalising them both physically and emotionally. Being one of the world’s leading renal care providers, Diaverum offers a holistic approach, from preventive and early stage renal care to all renal replacement therapies. As a product independent provider — the largest in Europe — we are able to focus solely on caring for the individual needs of our patients. Our experience in renal care dates back 20 years, when the first dialysis clinic was established, previously under our former name Gambro Healthcare. Today, 6,900 employees care for more than 20,000 patients in 17 countries in Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Australia. The corporate office of Diaverum is located in Munich, Germany, the head office is in Lund, Sweden. For more information visit www.diaverum.com.
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