Introduction:

Nursing healthcare quality in the hemodialysis unit of the High Specialty Regional Hospital of Yucatan is based on the scientific knowledge, the clinical evidence, and the patient safety.

Objective:

To improve patient care under hemodialysis treatment and homogenize the corresponding nursing practice.

Methods:

An intervention project was designed to standardize the management of vascular access through nursing staff training and good performance. The initiative was carried out in May-October, 2016 and included 12 nurses of the area who were assessed pre and post an intermediate level training.

Results:

Scores in the first assessment were below the quality standards: fistulae related: 27.58 ±2.644, and catheter-related: 26.58 ±4.033. The most sensitive procedures in each case were disconnection and healing respectively. After the training, the related scores improved considerably -the mean differences found in the management of both vascular accesses before and after the standardization of the procedure were t = -17.602, gl = 11, P = .000 for fistulae related, and t = -10.724, gl = 11, P = .000 for catheter related.

Conclusions:

Results confirmed the effectiveness of the training, and the provision and quality of the supplies have been further fostered. Moreover, other disciplines have also been involved in this initiative.