Home Dialysis Central update
[Vol.3, No.12, December 20, 2006]
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2006 dialysis update includes home dialysis barriers study
HR 6408 (Division B, Title I, Section 103), which provides a 1.6% update in the payment for dialysis also requires a study of "the costs for home hemodialysis treatment and patient training for both home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis" by 2009. Since low payments (just $20/day) for training are seen as one barrier to more home dialysis, this could be a good thing.
November 2006 Kidney International supplement focuses on PD
Is survival better on PD or HD? What factors predict PD success? What are best practices in PD catheter placement? Does use of biocompatible PD solution reduce peritonitis? Learn the answers to these and many other key PD questions in the November 2006 supplement of KI.
ADC plans full-day session on "How to Start a Home HD Program"
A preconference workshop on Saturday, Feb. 17, at the 2007 Annual Dialysis Conference in Denver will spend from 8am to 5pm on every aspect of starting a home program, from philosophy of patient care to recruitment, education, follow-up, economic considerations, equipment, CMS certification, and resources. Don't miss it! (And be sure to attend the ADC!)
Larger patients can safely do PD
A brand new Canadian study of 4,054 people on PD from 1994 to 2003 has found that a high body mass index (BMI > 30) was not linked with worse survival in people on PD—though a BMI of less than 18.5 was. The researchers concluded that "High BMI patients should not be discouraged from PD just because of their size." Read the abstract.
Ralph and his wife Pat do nocturnal home HD with the NxStage System One
The switch from in-center to home has been a great one for 76 year old Ralph. "Since I've started nocturnal dialysis, my lab results are better, I feel better, and my sleep problems have subsided," he reports. "Compared to in-center hemodialysis, it's like night and day," adds Pat. "It's a lot of work, but it's well worth it!" Read their story!
Who pays for my home dialysis training?
Click here to learn the answers to this & other questions about Medicare payment for PD and home hemo.
Innovative papers: daily hemofiltration with NxStage vs. conventional HD
Hemofiltration (HF) can remove more large molecules than hemodialysis (HD). In this paper, researchers compared 6 days/week HF using the NxStage System One to conventional HD—and found improvements in blood pressure control, Beta-2 microglobulin levels, and quality of life. Read the story.
Topic of the month: dialysis, the flu, and you
The flu is no fun for anyone. But as an adult with kidney failure, you're in a high risk group if you catch the flu. Kidney failure can weaken your immune system, so the flu is 3 to 4 times more likely to cause pneumonia and make other health problems worse than in healthy people. Read the story.
Read all about it!
Review home dialysis-related news, courtesy of Nephrology News & Issues. This week's stories include:
- Study shows lower mortality among daily HD patients
- Satellite Healthcare to acquire Capital Dialysis of Texas
- Update on 2007 rules for Medicare Part D
- NxStage achieves milestone, 1,000 patients on therapy
Featured link: CDC—don't let the flu ruin your holidays
The CDC has everything you need to know about flu strains, vaccines, drug treatment, and more. Learn more.
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