Effects of demographic factors and provider structures on the cost and length of stay for hemodialysis patients with vascular access failure

Vascular access is a major source of morbidity, hospitalization, and cost for hemodialysis patients in the United States. Recent data have shown that 25% of hospitalizations for hemodialysis patients are due to vascular access failure and that and estimated 50% of the cost of the first year of hemodialysis is due to problems with vascular access.