Renal Business News Only Feed

CDC Protocols Cut Dialysis Bloodstream Infections in Half

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:21:00 GMT

ATLANTA—Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released results of its Dialysis Bloodstream Infection Prevention Collaborative showing a 32 percent decrease in overall bloodstream infections and a 54 percent decrease in vascular access-related bloodstream infections after CDC prevention guidelines were used.

Robotic Transplant an Option for Obese Kidney Patients

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:27:00 GMT

CHICAGO—Obese patients who received robotic kidney transplants had fewer wound complications than patients who received traditional “open" transplant surgery, according to surgeons at the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System.

Nationwide Labs Launches New Site, Products

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:16:00 GMT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.—Nationwide Laboratory Services (NLS) this week launched a new company website. Customers can use the website as a portal to launch all NLS applications, including “Integrity," which is the new suite of company products that will replace E3.

DaVita’s Patient Pathways Wins Award for Discharge Planning

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:22:00 GMT

DENVER—DaVita, a division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc. (DVA) and a leading provider of kidney care services, today announced that the company’s subsidiary, Patient PathwaysSM, received the Dorland Health “Case In Point" Platinum Award for best Discharge Planning program in the United States.

Apollo, Fresenius Partner on Care Management for ESRD Patients

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:16:00 GMT

GLENDALE, Calif., and WALTHAM, Mass.—Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc., a physician-driven integrated healthcare delivery company, and Fresenius Medical Care, North America's largest provider of kidney care services, announced today that ApolloMed's subsidiary, ApolloMed ACO (Accountable Care Organization), is teaming with Fresenius to provide

RSN Invites Kidney-Disease Patients to Enter Essay Contest

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:14:00 GMT

GLENDALE, Calif.—The Renal Support Network (RSN), a nonprofit, patient-focused, patient-run organization that provides nonmedical services to those affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD), encourages people with kidney disease to let their voices be heard by entering the 11th Annual RSN Essay Contest.

Dialysis Groups Make Study Guide for Biomed Techs

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:00:00 GMT

NEW YORK, N.Y.—The International Society for Nephrology Technicians and Technologists (ISNTT) and Dialysis Education Services, LLC (DES) have formed a partnership to publish, "Study Guide for Biomedical Technology." Mike Morales, CEO of DES will head up a committee of experts in the field to produce the study guide.

OIG: CMS Could Save Millions by Adjusting ESRD Bundle for Anemia Drugs

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:50:00 GMT

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services could have saved $529 million if the end-stage renal disease payment bundle had been adjusted to reflect current utilization of anemia management drugs, the Office of Inspector General concluded this week in a new report.

Fresenius Wins Modern Healthcare Award for Quality of Life Program

Thu, 09 May 2013 22:18:00 GMT

WALTHAM, Mass.—Modern Healthcare magazine presented one of its c “Spirit of Excellence" awards this week to Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) in recognition of the company’s new social work program, which has increased patients’ adherence to dialysis treatments by addressing quality of life issues.

Rockwell, DaVita Enter into Supply Agreement

Thu, 09 May 2013 22:11:00 GMT

WIXOM, Mich.—Rockwell Medical announced May 9 that it has signed a multi-year, national product supply agreement with DaVita, the dialysis division of DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc.

Researchers Create New Approaches to Treat Childhood PKD

Wed, 08 May 2013 23:32:00 GMT

MILWAUKEE—A collaborative team of physician-scientists at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Research Institute has developed a new evidence-based, clinical algorithm to help physicians treat complex patients with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), according to a paper in the April 17

Constellation Software Acquires Quantitative Medical Systems

Wed, 08 May 2013 23:27:00 GMT

EMERYVILLE, Calif.—Constellation Software Inc. today announced that it has acquired Quantitative Medical Systems (QMS), a company that provides dialysis-specific revenue cycle management and EMR software.

Johns Hopkins Hospital Reports Environmental-Campaign Success

Wed, 08 May 2013 23:25:00 GMT

BALTIMORE—Officials at the Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) report a 200,000-pound decrease in the amount of trash produced each month—a 17 percent drop in just the first five months of a campaign begun in October 2012.

Study: Cinacalcet for ESRD Shouldn't be Routinely Prescribed

Tue, 07 May 2013 21:56:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO—Cinacalcet, a drug commonly given to patients with end-stage kidney disease to help keep phosphorus and parathyroid blood levels within a target range, has few patient level clinical benefits and several adverse effects, suggesting that it should no longer be routinely prescribed, according to a study published online April 30 in

Quality-of-Life Survey Improves Care for Heart Patients

Tue, 07 May 2013 21:53:00 GMT

DALLAS—Completing a quality-of-life questionnaire at a healthcare provider's office could help patients live longer and live better, according to a new scientific statement published in Circulation, a journal of the American Heart Association.

Nearly 13% Canadian Adults Have Kidney Disease, Few Know It

Tue, 07 May 2013 21:50:00 GMT

OTTAWA, Ontario—Approximately 12.5 percent of Canadian adults—or 3 million people—have kidney disease, but few know it, according to a study published online May 6 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

CMS Lowers Beneficiary Threshold for ESCOs

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:14:00 GMT

WASHINGTON—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has lowered the minimum beneficiary threshold for ESRD Seamless Care Organizations (ESCOs) to 350 from 500 matched beneficiaries.

Death Risk Decreases for Kids on Dialysis

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:11:00 GMT

CINCINNATI—In a study that included more than 20,000 patients, there was a significant decrease in the United States in mortality rates over time among children and adolescents initiating end-stage kidney disease treatment with dialysis between 1990 and 2010, according to a study in the May 8 issue of JAMA.

NIH Diabetes Network Expands Online, Nationwide Testing

Tue, 07 May 2013 18:37:00 GMT

WASHINGTON—People with a family history of type 1 diabetes can participate in free screening to help find ways to delay or prevent the disease, even if they live far from a study site. This alternative to site-based initial screening comes as modern technology enables more secure online registration for medical research.

DaVita HealthCare Partners Surpasses 2,000 Clinics, 50,000 Teammates

Thu, 02 May 2013 17:00:00 GMT

DENVER—DaVita HealthCare Partners announced that the company has reached two important milestones as of the end of the first quarter of 2013—owning or operating more than 2,000 centers, and employing more than 50,000 teammates.