Home Dialysis Central update
[Vol.6, No.5, May 28, 2009]
How can you show CMS surveyors that your clinic is committed to educating patients about ALL of their treatment options? With our DVD, poster, magnets, and more. Check out our Home Dialysis Central store!
Stuart Mott touch cannulation webinar recording now live
If you missed Stuart's terrific webinar (or you were there and would like to see it again), you're in luck. The recording is now live on Home Dialysis Central. We've skipped a webinar this month due to the holiday, but we'll be back in June with a new topic. Watch it now!
Home Hemodialysis 411: Why more is better
Curious? Find out at a webinar at 2pm Eastern time on June 10, with Dr. Michael Kraus from Indiana University presenting on recent studies, and two home dialyzors talking about their experiences. This session is co-sponsored by NxStage and DaVita. Find out more.
GAO report on home dialysis concludes...not much
The U.S. Government Accounting Office released this 32-page report on the costs of home dialysis & training to assess their impact on the new "expanded bundle" CMS will need to create under the MIPPA law. Their conclusion? CMS should formally track those costs (not likely!). Home HD costs were found to be 17-50% lower than in-center; PD costs were 48-68% lower. And the real question: will the new bundle help—or harm—better dialysis options? We'll be doing everything in our power to stay on the help side, and we'll need YOUR help to do it. Stay tuned to the Home Dialysis Central message boards for updates.
More use of PD could save the U.S. government millions
This new article says raising PD use to 15% would save more than $1 billion over 5 years. Bill Peckham's Dialysis from the sharp end of the needle blog suggests it may be somewhat less, because nursing home patients, who cost more, were included—and the real problem is Medicare's Part A/B "wall."
KCER issues H1N1 flu outbreak update
When there's a pandemic, folks are safer dialyzing at home! On May 6, the Kidney Emergency Response Coalition issued an H1N1 flu update for people on dialysis. Visit the KCER homepage for a flu planning checklist and info on the flu and other emergencies.
NxStage System One coming to the UK and Ireland
A new agreement with Kimal will bring daily HD overseas to help the UK's National Health System meet their goal of increasing home HD from its current 2% to 10-15%. Read the story. (Why doesn't the U.S. set a home treatment goal?)
On the horizon: A breath test for kidney disease?
Nanotechnology may one day make it much easier to detect kidney disease—which would aid widespread screening. Researchers in Israel are working on a breath test that would distinguish between healthy people and those with kidney problems. Read the article.
Fresenius launches national mail-order dialysis pharmacy
Getting medications just got easier for Fresenius home dialyzors—you can now order all of your prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and diabetes testing supplies by mail at no extra charge, through Fresenius Medical Care Rx. Learn more!
In-center HD pill burden lowers quality of life
Taking (and paying for) an average of 19 pills each day (with a strict fluid limit!) reduces health-related quality of life in people using standard in-center HD, a new study finds. Of course, every form of home treatment requires fewer pills! Read the abstract.
Daily & nocturnal HD in the news
Seems as if there are more stories popping up about home HD lately in local papers, like this one, this one, this one, and this one!
Trace mineral buildup may be neglected in dialysis
Years ago, scientists found that too much aluminum could cause devastating effects on the brains and bones of people on dialysis. But what about cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and other trace minerals? This new study has found higher levels in (standard in-center) HD patients than controls. Could this be yet another reason why more dialysis is better?
Home FIRST—a new paradigm
Why is the least effective—and most costly—form of treatment the default choice in the U.S.? A new article asks this question, and suggests that we present treatment options in terms of home vs. in-center, rather than HD vs. PD. Read the abstract.
There's no place like home
The current (May 2009) issue of the NKF's Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease journal focuses on home dialysis of all types, and includes a couple of free, full-length pdf editorials. Read the table of contents.
Traveling with Ken
Ken didn't have to give up his lifestyle just because his kidneys failed. Armed with a portable NxStage home hemodialysis machine, 66-year-old Ken and his wife Joyce continue to travel and show their prized Samoyed dogs. Read his story.
Will my home hemodialysis be paid for if I travel?
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. This week's stories include:
- Shad Ireland spreads the positive word about living with kidney disease, one mile at a time
- Fresenius offers disaster preparedness tips for dialysis patients
- Measurement of kidney function in children with kidney disease improved
- Hypertension drug dramatically reduces proteinuria in kidney disease patients
Featured link: Grow your OWN dialysis graft
A new technique—used in 10 people so far—allows scientists to grow a blood vessel out of your own living tissue. Check it out!