Fistula First

FMQAI: The Florida ESRD Network is participating in the national Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative in conjunction with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), other ESRD Networks and the entire renal community. The hope is that every suitable patient will receive a native arteriovenous fistula (AVF), which has been termed the "gold standard" of hemodialysis accesses.

As of December 2008, the Network's average AVF rate was 51.6% (according to the Fistula First Dashboard). The CMS Breakthrough Initiative goal is to increase the percentage of patients with fistulas to 66% by June 2009. For further information on Fistula First, please contact our Quality Improvement Department at (813) 383-1530 X5.

10-2009 Fistula First Press Release

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Fistula First Champion Surgeons: Surgeons nominated by one or more of our Champion Facilities for playing an integral role in their achievement of high AV Fistula rates