Reducing the occurrence rate of catheter dysfunction in peritoneal dialysis: a single-center experience about CQI

To reduce the occurrence rate of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter dysfunction caused by catheter displacement or plugging, this study screened all patients with peritoneal dialysis catheterization from 2002 to 2015 from the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. There were 256 patients before continuous quality improvement (CQI) (from 2002 to 2007) and 813 patients after CQI (from 2008 to 2015). The occurrence rate of catheter dysfunction was 5.9% in the preCQI group: seven cases were associated with peritonitis, six cases were involved in omentum wrapping, one case was blocked by oviduct, and one case was blocked by blood clot. Through PDCA (plan-do-check-act) four-step of CQI, the following measures were adopted: (1) Preoperative: treat complications, enema and urine catheterization (2) Intraoperative: strengthen analgesia, Lower the insert position of catheter to 7.5 ∼ 8.5 cm above the pubic symphysis, extending the straight distance of catheter in rectus abdominis and decrease the times of peritoneal dialysis catheter implantation. (3) Postoperative: strengthen the training of nurses, patients and their families. (4) strengthen anticoagulation therapy during peritonitis treatment. (5) use laparoscopic technology for refractory patients, and so on. The occurrence of catheter dysfunction was 1.5% in the postCQI group (p < 0.05): two cases were associated with peritonitis, ten cases were involved in omentum wrapping. The measures we adopted in CQI reduce the occurrence rate of catheter displacement or plugging in peritoneal dialysis.