Guidelines, Recommendations and Resources

What to know

Nurses, medical providers, technicians and others who work in dialysis facilities face a difficult task of managing the complex conditions affecting their patients while simultaneously focusing on reducing the risk of infection for these at-risk individuals. The resources on this page include guidance documents and web links to resources on the prevention of infection in the dialysis setting.

CDC Guidelines and Recommendations

The guidelines and recommendations included in this section reflect existing evidence-based guidelines produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee.

2001 CDC Hemodialysis Recommendations

2016 Update to the 2001 CDC Hemodialysis Recommendations

The 2016 update reviews the current recommendations on infection prevention and control for dialysis. Table 1 provides links to current recommendations for specific topics from the 2001 document. Table 2 identifies topics not included in the 2001 document and provides the most recent CDC recommendations on the topic.

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION 2016 UPDATE TO THE 2001 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PREVENTING TRANSMISSION OF INFECTIONS IN CHRONIC HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

This document, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2016 Update to the 2001 Recommendations for Preventing Transmission of Infections among Chronic Hemodialysis Patients updates selected information and recommendations in the 2001 Guideline, Recommendations for Preventing Transmission of Infections among Chronic Hemodialysis Patients. This 2016 update provides new references/links for information, updated recommendations (Table 1), and pertinent CDC recommendations that were not addressed in the 2001 Guideline (Table 2).Some information and recommendations in the 2001 Guideline have been superseded by information that has led to more recent CDC recommendations. These topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection
  • Testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
  • Standard precautions in healthcare settings

Online 2001 version (MMWR)Printable 2001 version (MMWR) with page numbers

Information and recommendations in the 2001 Guideline that have been superseded by later CDC information and recommendations, by topic

(Updated content) Most Recent CDC Recommendations on Topic

Topic: Testing for HCV infection
Topic: Laboratory testing for the diagnosis of HIV infection
Topic: HIV testing of patients in healthcare settings
Topic: Cleaning and disinfection of equipment and environmental surfaces in all healthcare facilities
Topic: Standard precautions to prevent transmission of infectious agents in all healthcare settings

(Old content) Infection Control Topics for Dialysis Settings

(sections and page numbers refer to 2001 Guideline)

Topic: Laboratory testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection
  • Sections: – Screening and Diagnostic Tests (p. 11) – Routine Serological Testing (p. 24)
Topic: Laboratory testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
  • Section: – Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection (p. 12)
Topic: Indications for HIV testing in patients
  • Section: – Prevention and Management of HIV infection (p. 29)
Topic: Cleaning and disinfection of equipment and environmental surfaces
  • Sections: – Equipment, Supplies, and Environmental Surfaces (p. 15) – Cleaning and Disinfection (p. 22)
Topic: Standard precautions to prevent transmission of infectious agents
  • Sections: – Infection Control Precautions for Outpatient Hemodialysis Settings Compared with Inpatient Hospital Settings (p. 17) – Infection Control Precautions for all Patients (p. 19) – Cleaning and Disinfection (p. 22)

CDC recommendations and information issued after 2001 address some topics not included in the 2001 Guideline. These topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Preventing hemodialysis catheter-related infections
  • Screening patients for latent tuberculosis infection
  • Recommended vaccinations for some vaccine-preventable diseases

Topics not addressed in the 2001 Guideline that have been addressed by other CDC recommendations and information issued after 2001

Topic and most recent recommendations on topic

Preventing hemodialysis catheter-related infections
Recommendations for vaccinations to prevent viral and bacterial infections in patients and healthcare personnel

Additional CDC Guidelines

Readers are urged to consult the full guidelines for background, rationale, and evidence behind each recommendation. All guidelines are available at: Guidelines and Recommendations

Additional Resources

CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Survey and Certification Program certifies ESRD facilities for inclusion in the Medicare Program by validating that the care and services of each facility meet specified safety and quality standards, called "Conditions for Coverage." The CMS Dialysis page provides basic information related to survey and certification of dialysis facilities for ESRD surveyors and dialysis providers. It includes links to applicable laws and regulations and provides resources to support and assess compliance with Federal regulations.

TARGETED ASSESSMENT FOR PREVENTION (TAP)

VACCINATION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PATIENTS WITH RENAL DISEASE