Hemodialysis professionals in China have moderately high overall KAP levels regarding VTE prevention (standardized score 71.36 ± 12.06), with implementation of VTE risk assessment identified as the most important factor associated with better preventive practices.
Key Findings
Results
The overall KAP level regarding VTE prevention among hemodialysis professionals was moderately high, with the lowest scores in self-perceived knowledge and highest in attitudes.
Mean total KAP score was 164.12 ± 27.74, with a standardized score of 71.36 ± 12.06
474 valid questionnaires were returned from 515 distributed, yielding a valid response rate of 92.03%
Data were collected via the Wenjuanxing platform using a self-developed KAP questionnaire on VTE prevention
Study used a cross-sectional design with convenience sampling of hemodialysis professionals
Results
Self-perceived knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were significantly correlated with each other.
Correlation coefficients ranged from r = 0.389 to 0.424 across the three KAP domain pairs
All correlations were statistically significant at p < 0.001
The positive correlations suggest that higher knowledge was associated with more positive attitudes and better practices
Results
Implementation of VTE risk assessment was identified as the most important factor associated with total KAP scores among hemodialysis professionals.
Identified through multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis
Statistical significance threshold was p < 0.05
Implementation of VTE risk assessment was the strongest predictor among all significant factors identified
Results
Several organizational and individual characteristics were significantly associated with total KAP scores in multivariate analysis.
Significant factors included age, hospital type, hospital level, number of daily dialysis shifts, implementation of VTE risk assessment, awareness of VTE-related guidelines, and training frequency
All factors were identified through multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis at p < 0.05
Both structural factors (hospital type and level) and process factors (training frequency, guideline awareness) were independently associated with KAP scores
Discussion
The study identified gaps in VTE prevention practices among hemodialysis professionals that the authors attributed to insufficient training, guideline awareness, and risk assessment implementation.
Targeted training programs, strengthened clinical management mechanisms, and improved awareness and application of VTE risk assessment were recommended
Training frequency was identified as a significant associated factor of total KAP scores
Awareness of VTE-related guidelines was independently associated with KAP performance
Authors noted that KAP of hemodialysis professionals regarding VTE prevention had been understudied prior to this work
What This Means
This research surveyed 474 hemodialysis professionals in China about their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) — dangerous blood clots that are a serious risk for kidney dialysis patients. The survey found that overall KAP levels were moderately high, but professionals scored lowest on knowledge and highest on attitudes, suggesting that while staff generally value VTE prevention, their actual understanding and application of best practices has room for improvement.
The study found that whether a facility required staff to formally assess patients' VTE risk was the single strongest predictor of better overall KAP scores. Other factors linked to higher scores included working in higher-level hospitals, being older, working more dialysis shifts per day, being aware of VTE-related clinical guidelines, and receiving training more frequently. These findings suggest that institutional policies and ongoing education play an important role in shaping how well hemodialysis professionals prevent blood clots in their patients.
This research suggests that healthcare facilities running hemodialysis units could improve patient safety by making VTE risk assessment a mandatory and standardized part of care, increasing staff exposure to relevant clinical guidelines, and providing regular, targeted training on blood clot prevention. Because VTE can be life-threatening and hemodialysis patients are particularly vulnerable, closing these knowledge and practice gaps could have meaningful consequences for patient outcomes.
Mi Q, Zhuang X, Zhou L, Li C, Zhong M, Liu S, et al.. (2026). Hemodialysis professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward venous thrombosis prevention: a multicenter survey.. Renal failure. https://doi.org/10.1080/0886022X.2026.2707036