Sensing Savvy

Researchers found that CKD patients may get some medicinal benefits from consuming caffeine. They found that those who consumed higher amounts of caffeine—between 206.5 to 1,378.5 milligrams daily—cut their mortality risk by nearly a quarter compared to those who consumed lower amounts.

Protecting patients from bloodstream infections (BSIs) should be a top priority for any dialysis clinic. Dialysis patients are at high-risk for infections as the bloodstream is being repeatedly exposed for access, and patients’ immune systems are compromised.

Dialysis patients with central lines experience an estimated 37,000 BSIs per year, with 1 in 4 of those cases resulting in death. Additionally, patients are hospitalized for infection to the tune of $23,000. Nephrology experts agree that this potentially deadly and costly BSI problem is preventable when dialysis clinics follow some important guidelines.

DaVita Profits Decline 15 Percent for Q3

The loss can be attributed to higher than expected medical costs and the underperforming managed care business. Net loss for the quarter was $214 million. As of the end of September, DaVita provided services to 218,200 patients.

U.S. Renal Care Names Michael Huguelet Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer

Huguelet previously held positions with North Star Anesthesia and DaVita. Prior to becoming involved in the kidney care space, he was involved in investment banking. The executive vice president and chief development officer is a newly created position for U.S. Renal Care.

As a dialysis provider, you know that healthcare settings and patient conflict go hand in hand. But unresolved patient conflict creates more stress for your staff, decreases productivity and teamwork and harms your clinic’s ability to safely deliver top-quality dialysis care.

Despite these consequences, providers often shy away from confronting challenges with patients because conflict is almost always uncomfortable. Experts call this avoidance a lack of “conflict competence,” and cite it as a major reason for dysfunctional dialysis units.   

Don E. Williamson Named COO of American Renal Associates

How a patient feels during his or her dialysis treatments often affects whether he or she will return to your clinic for further treatment. The National Kidney Foundation recommends patients evaluate the staff of a dialysis clinic before choosing a provider. The organization advises patients to see if the staff makes them feel welcome, if they were helpful, knowledgeable and were able to answer their questions. Patients also are encouraged to notice if clinic staff listens to them and addresses their needs.

Patients want to feel understood and at ease, and if your clinic is struggling to retain patients, this could be a contributing factor to patient retention.

Thankfully, a few changes in the way your staff communicates can improve patient experience at your dialysis clinic.

Fresenius Medical Care Acquires NxStage Medical

The deal was for about $2 billion, or $30 per common share. The deal is expected to close in 2018. Fresenius hopes the acquisition will help it accelerate growth within the home dialysis markets.

Largest Dialysis Providers Ranked

Fresenius Medical Care (No. 1) and DaVita (No. 2) ranked as the top dialysis providers in the USA. Fresenius saw 192,964 patients this year, while DaVita saw 190,500. Coming in third was U.S. Renal Care, seeing 25,120 patients. Fresenius’ bump in volume came from an increase in patients accepted for treatment for acute kidney injury.

Source: Nephrology News & Issues

If you feel like your career is at a standstill, dialysis travel nursing may be the solution. Dialysis nurses are uprooting to take advantage of the flexibility, quality of life and variety of experiences a traveling job offers. But before you buy a plane ticket, you should do your homework on what being a traveling nurse will involve as well as its benefits and drawbacks.