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Dialysis News
For the 3.8 million dialysis patients worldwide(1), vascular access is their lifeline. Three times a week, these patients face the sharp reality of metal needles piercing their skin, often accompanied by pain, anxiety, and the ever-present risk of complications(2). But what if there was a better way?
Enter flexible, plastic catheters - a game-changing innovation that's quietly redefining the dialysis experience.
While most medical settings have already embraced flexible plastic cannulas as the gold standard, dialysis units have been slow to adopt this technology, creating an alarming disparity in patient care.
Pain That Goes Beyond Physical | Metal needles cause significant discomfort in up to 80% of dialysis patients during insertion(3), leading to needle phobia that can result in reduced treatment adherence and missed appointments. Imagine dreading a life-saving treatment because of the pain it causes - this is the reality for countless patients.
When Rigid Meets Dynamic | During four-hour dialysis sessions, patients naturally move and shift. Metal needles, with their rigid structure, can't adapt to this movement, leading to infiltrations in as many as 50% of cases(4). These complications don't just cause pain - they can permanently damage the very vascular access that patients depend on for survival.
The Ripple Effect | Beyond patient suffering, metal needles create a cascade of problems: increased hospitalisations(5), extended procedures, higher healthcare costs, and elevated risk of needlestick injuries for healthcare workers. The European Union Directive 2010/32/EU on the prevention of sharps injuries in the healthcare sector explicitly recommends the use of safer needlestick prevention technology where possible, in order to protect healthcare workers from injuries and potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens(6) - yet dialysis departments remain an exception.
Flexibility That Follows Life | Unlike their metal counterparts, flexible catheters bend and flex with patient movement. This simple change dramatically reduces infiltration risks and allows patients to move more freely during treatment. As one patient put it: "I love my new needles - it allows me to move my arm without making the machine alarm(7)."
Comfort That Counts | Studies consistently show that patients experience significantly less pain with flexible catheters. In one trial, 100% of patients reported flexible catheters were more comfortable than steel needles, with 60% experiencing no bruising, needle blow, or pain(7). One participant was so impressed they said: "I wish to stay on these needles forever(7)."
Access That Lasts | Perhaps most importantly, flexible catheters cause less vessel wall damage, potentially extending the lifespan of vascular access - a critical factor when access failure remains a leading cause of dialysis patient morbidity.
Among flexible catheter options, Diacan® Flex offers a compelling combination of comfort and performance. Here's what sets it apart:
The evidence is clear: flexible catheters represent a significant leap forward in dialysis care. They help to reduce pain, minimise complications, protect healthcare workers, and potentially extend access lifespan, all while maintaining the flow rates necessary for effective treatment.
As healthcare systems increasingly emphasise patient-centred care and equity, the continued use of outdated metal needles in dialysis represents more than just a missed opportunity - it's a disparity that demands urgent attention.
The technology exists. The benefits are proven. The question isn't whether dialysis units should adopt flexible catheters - it's how quickly they can make the transition to give their patients the treatment they deserve.
1. Huijben, J.A., Kramer, A., Kerschbaum, J., de Meester, J., Collart, F., Rodríguez Arévalo, O.L., Helve, J., Lassalle, M., Palsson, R., ten Dam, M., Casula, A., Methven, S., Ortiz, A., Ferraro, P.M., Segelmark, M., Mingo, P.U., Arici, M., Reisæter, A.V., Stendahl, M., Stel, V.S. and Jager, K.J., 2023. Increasing numbers and improved overall survival of patients on kidney replacement therapy over the last decade in Europe: an ERA Registry study. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 38(4), pp.1027-1040. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfac165 [Accessed 19 March 2025].
2. Duncanson, E.L., Chur-Hansen, A., Le Leu, R.K., Macauley, L., Burke, A.L.J., Donnelly, F.F., Collins, K.L., McDonald, S.P. and Jesudason, S., 2023. Dialysis needle-related distress: patient perspectives on identification, prevention, and management. Kidney International Reports, 8(12), pp.2625-2634. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ekir.2023.09.011 [Accessed 19 March 2025].
3. Kosmadakis, G., Amara, I. and Costel, G., 2021. Pain on arteriovenous fistula cannulation: A narrative review. Seminars in Dialysis, 34(4), pp.275-284. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/sdi.12979 [Accessed 19 March 2025].
4. Lok, C.E., Huber, T.S., Lee, T., Shenoy, S., Yevzlin, A.S., Abreo, K., Allon, M., Asif, A., Astor, B.C., Glickman, M.H., Graham, J., Moist, L.M., Rajan, D.K., Roberts, C., Vachharajani, T.J., Valentini, R.P. and National Kidney Foundation, 2020. KDOQI Clinical Practice Guideline for Vascular Access: 2019 Update. American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 75(4, Supplement 2), pp.S1-S164. Available at: https://www.ajkd.org/article/S0272-6386(19)31137-0/fulltext#:~:text=Abstract,GRADE%20Evidence%20to%20Decision%20frameworks. [Accessed 19 March 2025].
5. Mathew AT, Strippoli GFM, Ruospo M, Fishbane S. Reducing hospital readmissions in patients with end-stage kidney disease. Kidney International [Internet]. 2015 Dec;88(6):1250–60. Available from: https://www.kidney-international.org/article/S0085-2538(15)61071-7/pdf
6. EU-OSHA, 2025. Directive 2010/32/EU - prevention from sharp injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector. Available at: https://osha.europa.eu/en/legislation/directive-2010-32-eu-prevention-sharp-injuries-hospital-and-healthcare-sector [Accessed 19 March 2025].
7. Kumar, G. and Edwards, S. (no date) 'Exploring solutions to prevent venous needle dislodgements and vascular infiltrations during haemodialysis'. Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
8. Choi YS, Lee HS, Joo N, et al. Efficacy and safety of plastic cannulae compared with metal needles in the initial use of an arteriovenous fistulae in incident hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled study. American Journal of Nephrology [Internet]. 2021;52(6):479–486. Available from: https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/518095
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