Gerald Beathard, RMS Lifeline, Austin, TX, United States; Perry W Arnold, RMS Lifeline, Austin, TX, United States; Allen R. Nissenson, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States; and Terry Litchfield, RMS Lifeline, McGaw Park, IL, United States.

As nephrologists (N) expand their scope of practice to meet changing health care system dynamics, it was clear that there is little training in the rapidly emerging field of interventional nephrology (IN). The need for such training was accelerated by the recent approval of credentialing requirements in this field by RPA and ASN as well as the creation of a new professional society for diagnostic and IN. RMS Lifeline, a national company dedicated to OP VA management developed an educational course to meet this need. A needs assessment was performed regarding educational and training offerings related to this field. A total of 7 Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses were identified; 11 interventional radiology (IR) fellowships with specialized training in ESRD components and 1 IN fellowship. A clinical and didactic course with all materials was developed. In addition, a hands-on course using cadavers to simulate access procedures in patients (pts) was developed and implemented. Key components of the IN training program include demonstration of clinical pre-procedure evaluation of pts; understanding and ability to interpret diagnostic studies; demonstration of skills necessary to perform vascular procedures; instruction in the use of needles, catheters, and guide wires and graduated responsibility in the performance of procedures as competence increases; understanding of clinical indications, risks, interpretation and limitations of VA intervention procedures; specific instruction in the clinical aspects of pt assessment, treatment, planning and management including drug use in these procedures and radiation safety. Our curriculum was developed and is lead by IN and IR – a partnership essential for program success.

Conclusion: For N to be competent in interventional procedures for ESRD VA care, a structured educational program is essential.

Disclosure: YES

Disclosure Info: RMS Lifeline is an affiliate of Baxter Healthcare