Dialysis clinic serves area
Robert Driewer, Newman Regional Health CEO
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
LAST MONTH my editorial focused on the Central Care Cancer Center as an example of how we can work together to develop services which meet the needs of our citizens. This month, I want to talk about the Dialysis Clinic, another service which also provides an important service to this entire region.
The Dialysis Clinic at Newman Regional Health was started through a cooperative effort between Newman Regional Health, the medical staff and the Renal Care Group of the Midwest, now known as Fresenius Medical Care. The clinic provides a local treatment option for patients with kidney failure.
Today, the Fresenius Medical Care group leases space from Newman Regional Health on the fourth floor of the hospital and operate the clinic for the citizens of Emporia and the surrounding area. The Fresenius Medical Care group operates several dialysis clinics located in other Kansas communities.
Dr. Jim Barnett, a member of the medical staff at Newman Regional Health, was instrumental in opening of the clinic and served as the local medical adviser at that time. In the 11 years the unit has been open, the number of people using the service has increased from 10 to 34 patients. Patients come from Lyon, Coffey, Chase and Greenwood counties to use the service.
Before dialysis was available at Newman Regional Health, the closest options were traveling to Topeka or Wichita. The convenience and time savings for both the patients and their families, especially in winter weather, is an important consideration.
The clinic has a total of eight dialysis machines, and today the clinic is operating five shifts in order to care for the current number of patients. Treatment schedules are usually three times a week, for over a three- or four-hour period
Patients who suffer from kidney failure cannot live without dialysis treatment. Dialysis performs the basic function of the kidneys by removing waste products and excess fluids from the blood. This is accomplished by circulating the patient’s blood through the dialysis machine. Most patients can return to a normal lifestyle and live for many years while receiving dialysis treatments.
Emporia is also fortunate in having several kidney specialists available locally. Dr. Abdallah, nephrologist, is the medical director of the Dialysis Clinic. Dr. Abdallah and another nephrologist, Dr. Challa, both from Wichita, are available for appointments and consultations in Newman’s Specialty Clinic. Two other visiting nephrologists, Dr. Ericson and Dr. Duvvur, see patients in the Medical Arts Clinic. Another benefit of local dialysis is that the patient’s family physician can continue to be involved in the care of the person.
Registered nurse Vicki Thornton heads up the seven-member nursing and technician staff on the dialysis unit. Thornton and all the staff have completed the necessary training courses to prepare them for working in the clinic.
The dialysis unit is another example of how cooperation and collaboration efforts among health-care providers can benefit patients in Emporia and the surrounding area. By all of us working together for a common goal, our citizens who are diagnosed with kidney problems have access to specialty care and treatment.
Happiness09 (anonymous) says...
Mr. Driewer: I appreciate your most useful and informative articles. Letting the public know what services are available locally is just plain good health care. Thank you.
February 12, 2009 at 11:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )