News

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 nearly two years before the new rules were in place to nearly 10 months [...]

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

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-28T21:05:50-04:00February 2nd, 2016|

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

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-28T21:05:51-04:00February 2nd, 2016|

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 kidneys can no longer remove waste and excess water from the body, and dialysis [...]

New Website Aims to Inform Latinos About Kidney-related Topics

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-28T21:05:52-04:00February 2nd, 2016|

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.

Mineral Metabolism

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-28T21:05:53-04:00February 2nd, 2016|

The kidneys help regulate the amount of minerals in the blood. Important minerals include calcium and phosphorous. Calcium and phosphorous help keep our bones strong and healthy. When the kidneys stop working, the amount of minerals in the blood can build up to dangerous levels. When there is too much calcium and/or phosphorous in the blood, it can deposit in the soft tissues in your body, including eyes, heart and lungs. This increases the likelihood of stroke and heart attack and can also decrease the likelihood for a kidney transplant. Mineral levels can be maintained by eating a healthy diet low in these minerals and taking appropriate mineral supplements if needed.