What do you access pre tx on a fistula/graft/catheter- What do you chart each treatment?

Irene e-mialed me this response
What you assess for on grafts/fistulas are redness, tenderness, edema, bruit, thrill(present or absent), difficult areas of cannulation, pain for patient. when assessing catheter you check flow (flush/aspiration), resistence, when doing your dressing change, you assess for redness, edema, drainage, etc. Hope this helps. I've never answered questions on renal web before. I hope you get this response!
Irene

With catheters you should also note any odor. This can be a sign of infection. Something that you don't see much written on in access assessment articles. Lesley Dinwiddie makes this point in her excellent access presentations. She will be at the 20th Annual Dialysis Conference in San Francisco this February. If you get the chance to go you should ! Our moderator Ms. Deborah Brouwer will also be presenting at this meeting.