Home Dialysis Central update
[Vol.3, No.3, March 21, 2006]
Get your FREE, Full-color POSTCARD HANDOUTS for Home Dialysis Central—use 'em to tell your patients about PD and home hemo. Order some today!
Marketing home dialysis
The March '06 issue of Nephrology News & Issues had not one, but two full-page ads focusing on home dialysis—one from Fresenius (Ultracare) and one from WellBound. It's great to see marketing campaigns that focus attention on home treatments!
New study finds patients prefer home dialysis...
Speaking of WellBound...their recent study of 576 patients who received predialysis education on all types of dialysis found that 42% chose a self-care (home) treatment. Of the 206 patients who finished training, 80% chose PD and 20% chose home hemo.
...But awareness of home dialysis is poor
Unfortunately, many patients are not told about all treatments. A survey of patients starting dialysis in Network 18 (CA) found that only 34% of patients were aware of PD, just 12% knew about home hemo, and 26% had been told about transplant. Not surprisingly, time spent on patient education was the key factor in treatment choice. (Mehrotra R et al, Patient education and access of ESRD patients to renal replacement therapies beyond in-center hemodialysis. Kidney Int, 2005 Jul;68(1):378-90).
Topic of the month—Fistula First
In 1943, Dr. Willem Kolff built the first hemodialysis machine. Yet, it took two more decades before chronic dialysis was practical. Why? Vascular access—a reusable way to get blood from the body to the artificial kidney and back—made dialysis possible. Learn why fistulas are best—and how to care for yours.
Innovative papers in home dialysis
Even after salt is restricted in the dialysis diet, it takes several months for the full benefits on blood pressure to be reached. Why? Dr. Stanley Shaldon sums up the complex physiology for us. Read about it here.
"In reality, I'm a healthy person who just has bad kidneys!"
When El Paso resident Manuel Sanchez was told he had polycystic kidney disease in 1990, he was so shocked that he didn't return for treatment for three years! Despite his rocky start, Sanchez has become not just a survivor, but one who has achieved a remarkable quality of life on CCPD. Read his story!
How do employer group health plans (EGHP) and Medicare coordinate benefits for home dialysis?
Click here to learn the answers to this & other questions about Medicare payment for PD and home hemo.
Read all about it!
Review home dialysis-related news, courtesy of Nephrology News & Issues. This week's stories include:
- A Solution to the Kidney Shortage
- Targeted Renal Therapy May Prevent Kidney Failure
- Renal Transplant Patients Often Vitamin D Deficient
- WellBound opens new self-care dialysis clinic in CA
Featured link
The AAKP offers a new brochure called Understanding Your Peritoneal Dialysis Options. Download it here!
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