Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Information for Dialysis Patients

2024-06-07T11:58:57-04:00March 6th, 2020|Categories: Additional Resources, eNews, In-Center Hemodialysis, Lifestyle, Physical Health|Tags: |

Updated 3/26/2020 Coronavirus disease 2019 (abbreviated COVID-19) is a new respiratory virus spreading to the United States. Although the health risk is low in this country at this time, we know that people who have chronic illnesses, weakened immune systems and/or are over the age of 60 could pose an increased risk if they develop the disease. That said, it is not a time to panic, but rather a time to use procedures that help prevent the flu, coronavirus and other infections. Prevention A great prevention tip is to avoid getting or sharing germs that can cause infections. Here are [...]

New Resources for Teens

2024-03-28T21:00:27-04:00March 2nd, 2020|Categories: Additional Resources, Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, eNews, Fact Sheet, Home Hemodialysis, Humor and Laughter, In-Center Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, Lifestyle, Medication, Nutrition, Pediatric Kidney Disease, Peritoneal Dialysis, Stress Management, Support, Symptoms|Tags: |

These booklets were developed for tweens and teens who learn their kidneys are not working and they will need dialysis or a transplant. The booklets provide a brief overview of coping with kidney disease, being part of their health care team, the importance of diet, taking medication, and treatment methods. They also touch on feelings related to having a chronic illness, family and friends, and being a teen. The development of both booklets included input from kids currently on dialysis, parents, adults who had kidney disease as children, and nephrologists.  Although both booklets are similar, one focuses on teens who learn [...]

Survey: Seeking Advice from Parents of Children with Kidney Disease

2024-03-28T21:00:35-04:00January 25th, 2020|Categories: eNews, Hemodialysis, Medication, Mental Health, Pediatric Kidney Disease|

The DPC Education Center is developing an online program to serve as a resource for parents of children with kidney disease. In order for this program to be successful, we need the guidance of parents willing to share tips and stories about how they helped their child thrive while living with this condition and juggling life's multiple demands. Feedback is needed in the areas of treatment, medication and mental health. If you are a parent of a child with kidney disease and would like to help us with this project, please click this link (or answer the questions in the box [...]

Treatments and Modality Options for Kidney Disease

2024-03-28T21:00:50-04:00October 21st, 2019|Categories: Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, Early Intervention, eNews, Home Hemodialysis, In-Center Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, Peritoneal Dialysis, Stages of Kidney Disease, Symptoms, Webinar, What Causes Kidney Disease|

During this webinar you will learn: 1) how kidneys work, 2) about chronic kidney disease stages and symptoms, 3) how to slow progression, 4) end stage options for treatment and 5) about accesses. About the Presenter: Joanne Smith is a DPC Education Center Advisory Council member and has had multiple positions in the dialysis field since receiving her RN degree, ranging from Staff RN to Director of Nursing to Home Therapies Manager. She is currently a Kidney Care Advocate responsible for educating CKD and ESRD patients on kidney disease and options for treatment, focusing specifically on home dialysis. Unlike in other nursing [...]

My Personal Experience with a Rare Condition

2024-03-28T20:59:17-04:00March 29th, 2019|Categories: Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, In-Center Hemodialysis, Lifestyle, Physical Health, The Kidney Citizen|Tags: |

By Mark Scirocco, Patient Ambassador I have been on in-center hemodialysis for three years. It was a rough start, as I went through 11 chest catheters in a little over a year. Two of them just fell out while I was sitting at home; the others got clogged. The last one almost killed me, stopping fluid in my upper body and head. My fistula was barely ready when they took that one out and placed a stent in my chest to allow fluid past my upper body. Three months after starting my fistula, I needed a fistulogram to open it up. [...]

Free Monthly Webinars/Conference Calls

2024-03-28T20:59:20-04:00March 21st, 2019|Categories: About DPC Ed Center, Costs for Treatment, Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, Early Intervention, Employment, Home Hemodialysis, Humor and Laughter, Immunizations, In-Center Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, Lifestyle, Medication, Mental Health, Music, Nutrition, Pediatric Kidney Disease, Peritoneal Dialysis, Physical Health, Sex and Intimacy, Stages of Kidney Disease, Stress Management, Support, Symptoms, The Kidney Citizen, Webinar, What Causes Kidney Disease|

The DPC Education Center invites people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), end-stage renal disease (ESRD), their families and professional staff to join us for our monthly webinars. You can also join by phone or view the recordings online at a later time. The webinars are planned for the fourth Thursday of the month at 2 p.m. Eastern time zone, except for November and December when they will be held during the third week of the month. You can download monthly webinar fliers to share with others and/or register for webinars at www.dpcedcenter.org/news-events/education-webinars. Join by phone by calling 1-877- 399-5186 and [...]

Insights from the Dialysis Patient Citizens 2018 Patient Survey: Patients’ Priorities for Quality Measures and New Innovations in ESRD Care

2024-03-28T20:59:23-04:00March 11th, 2019|Categories: Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, In-Center Hemodialysis, The Kidney Citizen|

By Jackson Williams, Director of Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel, Dialysis Patient Citizens Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) thanks everyone who completed its 2018 Patient Survey. It is another way to make your voices heard. We use our patient survey to get your input on current issues and to convey your opinions to policymakers in Washington, DC. This year, our survey included questions on two recent developments in Washington: Medicare’s “Meaningful Measures” Initiative: In early 2018, Medicare officials announced plans to reduce the number of quality measures it uses to hold health care providers accountable. This meant that for dialysis care, the [...]

Home Dialysis: Is It Your Best Treatment Option? – Recording and Slides

2024-03-28T21:00:09-04:00August 23rd, 2018|Categories: eNews, Home Hemodialysis, In-Center Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, Peritoneal Dialysis|

If you were unable to attend last week's education seminar, the recording is now available! Please see the video below for details. In addition, download the slides. We want to keep getting better. Please help us by sharing your comments and suggestions here: Webinar Review This program helps you: Learn about treatment options Weigh the benefits of more frequent dialysis Develop questions to ask your doctor when choosing your treatment choice Understand the patient's perspective by hearing a patient's dialysis story

RSVP for Thursday’s Webinar – Home Dialysis: Is It Your Best Treatment Option?

2024-03-28T21:00:13-04:00August 10th, 2018|Categories: eNews, Home Hemodialysis, In-Center Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, Peritoneal Dialysis, Webinar|

Join us on Thursday, August 16 at 2:00PM Eastern to learn if home dialysis would be an appropriate treatment option for you or your family. This program will help you: Learn about treatment options Weigh the benefits of more frequent dialysis Develop questions to ask your doctor when choosing your treatment choice Understand the patient's perspective by hearing a patient's dialysis story RSVP to attend. This webinar will be presented by: Dr. Michael Kraus, MD, FACP Nephrologist,  Indiana University School of Medicine Associate Chief Medical Officer, NxStage Medical, Inc. Vanessa Evans, Dialysis Patient Patient Advocate Manager, NxStage Medical, Inc. Dialysis patient for 20 [...]

Preparing for National Kidney Month

2024-03-28T21:01:27-04:00February 28th, 2017|Categories: eNews, Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant|Tags: , |

As Black History month comes to a close, and national kidney month is about to begin, it’s important to think about the relationship between kidney health and African Americans. Kidney disease can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or ethnicity. However, African Americans are disproportionately affected by kidney disease for a variety of reasons including genetics and socio-economics. Compared to other ethnic groups, African Americans have higher rates of diabetes and high blood pressure which are the two leading causes of kidney disease. While most patients may be aware of their diabetes or high blood pressure, many don’t know these conditions [...]

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