Dialysis Events

In 2008, more than 350,000 patients were treated with chronic hemodialysis in the United States, and infections were the second leading cause of death among these patients. In the state of Tennessee, outpatient dialysis facilities have been required to report dialysis events to NHSN since 2012.

For details on reporting requirements, please see the information provided below.

Quick reference for dialysis event reporting, click here.

Which health care facilities need to report?

As of July 2012, all outpatient hemodialysis facilities, including those attached to hospitals and freestanding centers, must report.

What information must be reported?

Regarding numerator data, the following should be reported:

• IV antimicrobial start
• Positive blood culture
• Signs of vascular access infection, such as pus, redness, or increased swelling at the vascular access site

Regarding denominator data, the following should be reported:

• Number of dialysis outpatients on the first two working days of the month
• Stratified by five vascular access types

When is information reported?

Dialysis event numerator and denominator data must be collected and reported on a monthly basis.

How should the information be reported?

Those who report must use the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) software application.

For more information see the following links.

• NHSN Surveillance Reporting
• Dialysis Event NHSN Protocol
  
• Dialysis event NHSN Protocol Training

Dialysis Event Forms – Numerator

• Form
• Form Instructions

Dialysis Event Forms - Denominator

• Form
• Form Instructions