North End Opens Hemodialysis Unit for On-Site Kidney Care
North End Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center today announced a major enhancement of its chronic kidney disease management program with the opening of an on-site hemodialysis unit. The new “dialysis den” is designed to improve patients’ quality of life and recovery process within the subacute care setting.
On May 21, North End Rehab’s leadership, care team and health care partners gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the five-chair unit inside the skilled nursing facility at 70 Fulton St. in Boston’s North End neighborhood Research shows that patients who receive dialysis on-site during their stay in a nursing home – eliminating the time and stress of traveling to multiple appointments at outpatient clinics or hospitals – have better clinical outcomes and recovery times and reduced risks of infection.
The hemodialysis unit was developed in partnership with DaVita Kidney Care and is led by Dr. John Danziger, a nephrologist affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Within the dialysis den, North End Rehab has the capability to accommodate patients with ventilator and tracheostomy dependence.
“The opening of our hemodialysis unit is a huge milestone that will enable our center to provide an even greater level and quality of care that is made possible by on-site treatment and skilled professionals,” said David Cohen, Administrator of North End Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center. “We are proud of our partnership with DaVita as we pioneer state-of-the-art solutions to improve health outcomes in chronic kidney disease patients in the nursing and rehabilitation center setting.”
The hemodialysis unit is part of North End Rehab’s comprehensive chronic kidney disease management program designed to manage symptoms, increase quality of life and reduce adverse effects among patients with chronic kidney disease and related diagnoses. North End Rehab also has a physician-led pulmonary program and a cardiac program accredited by the American Heart Association.
The center provides renal programs for chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease through individualized plans of care that may require hemodialysis in the dialysis den on-site or a program tailored to the patient’s medical condition. Kidney disease can result from a variety of underlying conditions including diabetes and hypertension.
According to industry estimates, more than 85,000 patients requiring dialysis are admitted to skilled nursing facilities every year. The number is expected to rise by 6% annually. Traditionally, patients have been transported to off-site dialysis clinics for lengthy treatments several times per week.
Skilled nursing facilities including North End Rehab are responding to the need by building dialysis dens within their walls to better serve patients and ease any physical and emotional strain. So far, only a handful of facilities in Massachusetts provide on-site dialysis services. These units are developed in compliance with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
“When clinicians have the ability to meet end-stage renal disease patients at the point of care, it not only offers patients with convenience, but provides us with invaluable opportunity to manage symptoms and guide patients through their treatment and recovery,” said Dr. Danziger.
