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Study Shows CDC Intervention Tools Decrease Infection Rates for Hemodialysis Patients

2024-06-07T11:38:27-04:00February 26th, 2016|Categories: eNews, Hemodialysis|

Bloodstream infections are the second leading cause of death for hemodialysis patients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) prevention tools, also called the Core Interventions, provide dialysis facilities with a guide on how to prevent bloodstream infections. A recent study found that dialysis facilities that implemented CDC’s infection prevention tools such as improving staff hygiene and increasing patient education on better catheter maintenance, had a 44 percent decrease in bloodstream infections for patients. These resources are free and available to anyone on the CDC’s website.

What Is Advance Care Planning And Why Is It Important For Dialysis Patients?

2024-03-28T21:05:23-04:00February 24th, 2016|Categories: eNews, Fact Sheet, Treatment|Tags: |

By Dr. Prayus Tailor, Nephrology Associates I am a nephrologist. About five years ago, my father had a sudden cardiac arrest in front of me. I was able to quickly initiate CPR. By the time the ambulance arrived, he had regained consciousness. He lived for another two years, but unfortunately became critically ill after developing leukemia. An infection had overtaken his body. He was then in the intensive care unit (ICU) on multiple antibiotics and drugs to treat the infection and keep his blood pressure up so that his organs could continue to get blood flow. His kidneys started failing quickly. [...]

Racial Disparities in Kidney Transplantation Rates Eased By System’s New Rules

2024-03-28T21:05:49-04:00February 2nd, 2016|Categories: eNews, Kidney Transplant|

Changes to the system that distributes deceased donor kidneys nationwide helped increase the rates of transplants for African American and Hispanics dialysis patients on the waiting list, according to a new study from Johns Hopkins University. The system’s old algorithm originally gave priority to patients based on how long they had been on the list. In December 2014, the algorithm was changed to give priority to patients based on how long they had been on dialysis. The goal of the changes was to increase transplant accessibility to minorities. To determine whether the changes had any effect, researchers examined transplant records from [...]

DPC Education Center Staff Member Transplant Story Featured in Television News Report

2024-03-28T21:05:50-04:00February 2nd, 2016|Categories: eNews, Kidney Transplant, News & Events, Treatment|

Last summer, DPC Education Manager Joanne Smith successfully donated a kidney to one of her patients. The story was featured in a report done by Philadelphia-based ABC affiliate WPVI. Learn more about the kidney transplant process, and save the date for the next education call: Transplant 101 on February 17th.

Report Identifies Positive News on Kidney Disease in the US, Yet Challenges Remain

2024-03-28T21:05:51-04:00February 2nd, 2016|Categories: Costs for Treatment, Dialysis, Early Intervention, eNews, Kidney Transplant, Stages of Kidney Disease|

The annual data report from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) reveals both positive and negative trends in kidney disease in the United States. Positive news includes fewer deaths among kidney patients and an increasing use of home dialysis treatments. Ongoing challenges include increasing medical costs for dialysis treatment and an overall increase in the size of the dialysis population. Highlights from the report include: Fewer deaths were reported among dialysis and kidney transplant patients in 2013, dropping by 28 percent and 40 percent, respectively, since 1996. Prevalence of end-stage kidney disease—the last stage of chronic kidney disease when the [...]

New Website Aims to Inform Latinos About Kidney-related Topics

2024-03-28T21:05:52-04:00February 2nd, 2016|Categories: eNews, Kidney Transplant, News & Events, Treatment|

Kidney failure in the Latino population has increased by more than 70 percent since 2000, according to federal statistics. Researchers and medical professionals find that Latinos are often unfamiliar with the transplant process. A new bilingual website, called Informate, aims to inform Latinos and other Spanish-speaking populations about kidney transplantation. The medium contains fact sheets, quizzes, telenovelas and other materials in both English and Spanish. The website was created to also address cultural concerns Latinos might have about kidney transplantation. The project’s content is provided by the National Kidney Foundation and is available online to anyone, found at informate.org.

Study Finds Affluent Patients Might Have Advantage for Organ Transplants

2024-03-28T21:05:58-04:00November 23rd, 2015|Categories: eNews, Kidney Transplant|

Registering with more than one organ transplant center appears to work for wealthy patients over those with the most medical need, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015. Researchers studied the national database of organ donors from 2000 to 2013 and found that patients who simultaneously listed at more than one center had higher transplant rates; lower death rates while waiting, were wealthier and were more likely to be insured. These findings suggest an advantage for wealthier patients who have the money for travel, temporary housing and other costs of multiple listing that are not covered [...]

Clinical Trial Results in Early Success for Wearable Artificial Kidney

2024-03-28T21:05:59-04:00November 23rd, 2015|Categories: eNews, News & Events, Treatment|

A portable dialysis machine called the Wearable Artificial Kidney (WAK) is now on the fast track for FDA review within a few years. The status is the result of a clinical trial involving seven ESRD patients undergoing dialysis using the WAK for 24 hours. The device is worn like a tool belt and attached to the patient with a catheter. Researchers say the WAK successfully cleaned the patients’ blood while keeping the fluid and electrolyte levels in a safe range. Patients did not experience any adverse side effects. Since the WAK works continuously, patients were also able to eat a non-restricted diet in [...]

Report Connects High Intakes of Salt And Potassium To Quicker CKD Progression

2024-03-28T21:06:00-04:00November 23rd, 2015|Categories: Early Intervention, eNews, Nutrition|

An increased intake of salt and potassium could lead to an increased chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression, according to a study out of the Tulane University in New Orleans. Scientists studied urinary sodium and potassium levels from 3,900 4 CKD patients over a period of three years. CKD progression was defined as developing End State Renal Disease (ESRD) or experiencing a decreased renal function. Results found that CKD patients with the highest salt levels were 54 percent more likely to experience CKD progression and a 45 percent chance of early death. For those with high potassium levels, 59 percent were more [...]

Drug Candidate Offers Treatment for Chronic Itch Condition Without Side Effects

2024-03-28T21:06:02-04:00October 29th, 2015|Categories: eNews, Medication, News & Events, Treatment|Tags: |

“Chronic irritable itch” is defined as a constant itchy sensation that’s difficult to treat, and is a common medical condition among dialysis patients. A study from the Florida campus of the Scripps Research Institute focused on a medication that could treat the condition without the adverse side effects normally associated with medicating the condition. Researchers tested the compound, a combination of opioids and other chemicals, on mouse models to determine effectiveness. The drug compounds target receptors in the central nervous system that moderate pain perception and stress responses. It was found that the combination was successful in stopping the itch [...]

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