Home Dialysis Central update
[Vol.3, No.7, July 25, 2006]
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Home Dialysis Central welcomes new sponsors!
As our third year begins, we're delighted that the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) and one of the newest large dialysis organzations—Renal Advantage, Inc. (RAI)—have joined our efforts to grow home therapies, at the Champion and Supporter levels, respectively. In addition, DaVita at Home and Northwest Kidney Centers have increased their sponsorship to the Champion and Partner levels, respectively.
Home hemo rates vary more than other modalities
A paper published in this month's Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation by Drs. Macgregor, Agar, and Blagg found more variation in the rates of home hemo between countries than any other type of dialysis. The authors concluded that "Significant expansion of home HD is likely to be possible in most countries, and will be increasingly important as the impressive results of more frequent HD gain credence."
Topic of the month—keeping your job when you need dialysis
If you are working full or part-time when you learn that your kidneys are failing, some of your most urgent questions may be about your job. Each year, half of all people who start dialysis in the U.S. are under 65. You are not alone. It is possible to feel well enough to work on dialysis and to make your treatment schedule fit your job—if you plan ahead. Learn about it here.
Judith improved her lifestyle with daily home hemo
Polycystic kidney disease affected Judith's grandfather, father, brother, daughter, and caused her own kidney failure at age 57. She had to drive an hour to and from her dialysis center three times a week, getting home just as her son arrived from school. Then a bulletin board notice for a study changed her life for the better. Read her story!
Innovative papers: longer and more frequent dialysis
Thirty-one years ago, Dr. Twardowski found that adding one hemo treatment per week or increasing session time by 17.5% signficantly raised hematocrit levels, improved serum albumin, sped nerve conduction velocity, reduced blood pressure, and increased dry weight—even though urea and creatinine levels did not change. Read his historic abstract!
What does Medicare require if a clinic wants to start a home training program?
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:
- Super-sized meals are no bargain
- CMS releases Part D consumer complaints
- Amgen to start chronic kidney disease study
- Families urged to be aware of kidney disease
Featured link: financial help from the HealthWell Foundation
The HealthWell Foundation® is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, established to help patients with certain out of pocket healthcare costs, including prescription drug coinsurance, copayments and deductibles, and health insurance premiums.