Cannulating grafts with Abbocath cannula

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Specializes in Nephrology-Dialysis/Surgery/Orthopaedics.

Is it true that we should never cannulate grafts with the "abbocath" cannula? the ones similar to a regular IV cannula where you can pull out the stylet and leave the plastic tube in the AV fistula.

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Specializes in Dialysis (acute & chronic).

You should not be sticking a graft or fistula for anything other than for dialysis or a fistulagram.

Why would you want to put a angiocath into a graft or fistula? Are you a dialysis nurse or tech?

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Specializes in Nephrology-Dialysis/Surgery/Orthopaedics.

You didn't get what I was describing.

It's a needle for fistulas. The only difference is that it looks like and you insert it like a regular IV needle (no wings), once you get backflow you can withdraw the metal needle and the plastic one is left in place. That's where you connect the bloodlines from the machine.

I was asking if this type of cannula is allowed for grafts because we had an incident in our facility and our charge nurse from the Netherlands said that we should never use this type of needles on grafts.

I'm a dialysis nurse.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I looked this "abbocath" dialysis graft access needles up and couldn't find a thing.

Can you provide a link??

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Specializes in Nephrology-Dialysis/Surgery/Orthopaedics.

Sorry for confusing you with the term.

It's called the Nipro SafeTouch Cannula.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=nipro+dialysis+needles&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Qv3&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=865&tbm=isch&prmd=ivns&tbnid=4x-UsIbxsYBB3M:&imgrefurl=http://www.nipro.co.jp/en/corporate/csr/products/index.html&docid=27jTywgi7b3s7M&w=148&h=160&ei=G_EpTtvWIZPUgAfYi-mFCw&zoom=0

The reason I used "abbocath" is because that's what we were used to calling it.Anyways, hope this helps.

My question again is this safetouch cannula safe to use in AV grafts?

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Specializes in Dialysis (acute & chronic).

I looked at the link you sent. I have never used a needle like that in a fistula or a graft here in the United States.

First of all, there is no tubing extending from the needle with a clamp on it to stop the blood from flowing out of the cannula. Secondly, there does not seem to be enough surface area (or butterfly wings) to safely secure the needle in place to support a high blood flow rate. Lastly, when looking at the picture of the product you listed, there is no luer-lock system to secure the blood lines to. The picture of the needles looks like a IV needle/cannula, where you just push on the IV tubing and doesn't have to twist and lock. I would not use this on a fistula or a graft. Maybe our safety requirements are higher in our country?

I have used NIPRO products:

http://www.gambro.com/en/usa/Products/Vascular-Access/SafeTouch_needle/

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