Industry Updates
News Articles
Fresenius ramps up supply of IV and PD fluids
11/21/2024
Hurricane Helene disrupted availability of Baxter IV and PD fluids. Fresenius Medicare Care worked to limit the impact on PD patients, including maximizing international production.
The International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis Celebrates 40 Years
10/15/2024
The new ISPD video has patients from multiple countries sharing why they chose PD and how it gives them autonomy and freedom and makes it possible for them to live how they want to live.
Michael Aragon, MD Article in DocWireNews on Switching from PD to Home HD
10/15/2024
Learn the case for this switch, myths & misconceptions, technology, helping patients switch, and challenges.
PD Excellence Academy Offers Three New Courses and Up to 11 CE Credits
09/12/2024
Learn about Foundations of PD Nursing, Optimizing PD Therapy, and Retaining Patients on PD Therapy.
New Fresenius Versi®HD Now has GuideMe Software
09/12/2024
With new, step-by-step software, the VersiHD makes home HD easier to learn and helps patients retain what they learned. The machine can run off a generator in an emergency, too.
Diality Moda-fix HD Machine Receives FDA 510(k) Approval
08/16/2024
With integrated RO water treatment, the Moda-fix is now approved for acute care hospitals, post-acute care dialysis, and clinic dialysis, with the ultimate aim of home HD.
Death of Cannulation Expert, Educator and Home Dialysis Champion, Stuart Mott
07/12/2024
On June 17, 2024, the kidney community lost another dialysis pioneer. Stuart has his own page of helpful resources on Home Dialysis Central, and his many YouTube videos have had more than 1 million views. Here is a link to Stuart’s obituary.
PD and Home HD Sessions and Posters from the 2024 NKF Spring Clinicals
06/14/2024
Find live and on-demand sessions on home dialysis from this year’s conference in Long Beach, CA by searching the Program. And, here are selected home dialysis e-poster topics:
Patient and Care Partner Perspectives on PD: Barriers and Facilitators
Personalized Home HD Following Successful Bariatric Surgery in ESRD
Impact of Predialysis Renal Care on US Incident Home HD: Causal Mediation Analysis
Transforming Dialysis Culture and Increasing Transitions to Home Through a QIP
Transitioning a Patient with Low Literacy Skills to Home HD: Adaptive Training
New, Validated Survey of Home Dialysis Patients’ Experience of Care
06/14/2024
The 26-item Home Dialysis Care Experience (H-DCE) survey is now available. Read an abstract that reports on validity testing of the survey here.
Baxter Launches MyPD Digital Management App in Korea
06/14/2024
Baxter Korea announced this week that MyPD will allow patients to enter and manage their PD data and connect to Sharesource so care providers can assess the data remotely and personalize patient care.
Liberty Dialysis Hawaii Opens New Home HD Training Center in O’ahu, HI
06/14/2024
An affiliate of Fresenius Medical Care, the new training center will improve access for patients in Kailua and surrounding communities, using the NxStage home system. With sterile dialysate bags as an option, the NxStage eliminates treatment disruption due to water supply challenges, natural disasters, and other emergencies.
NKF: Making the Case for Home Dialysis
05/09/2024
This document has information about types of dialysis, the pending Improving Access to Home Dialysis Act (H.R. 8075), and tips to overcome barriers to home.
Baxter Announces Multiple Online Training Videos for Professionals
04/12/2024
Watch videos on the Baxter AK 98 HD machine, PD machines (Amia, HomeChoice, HomeChoice Pro, and Claria), ShareSource, Ultrabag, and Services. Some videos address common questions and problems.
Humana and Strive Health Expand Holistic Partnership to more Humana Members
04/12/2024
Humana HMO and PPO members in IL, IN, KY, MI and northwest NC are included. The Strive model includes social services, care and medication management, planning for dialysis access, and transplant coordination.
ASN and Home Dialysis University Collaboration to Increase Home Dialysis
04/12/2024
In 2024, ASN will provide 45 scholarships to nephrology fellows who want to learn more about home therapies. Recipients attend in-person HDU training September 8-10 in Chicago, followed by 11 virtual sessions with a deeper dive into home dialysis cases. Learn more about HDU and apply for a scholarship.
Telemedicine Can Help Grow Home Dialysis, Reduce Dropout, and Improve Outcomes
03/15/2024
Read about the benefits and challenges here.
Baxter Runs a Webinar Series Every Tuesday for Kidney Month
03/15/2024
The next webinar on March 19 is on Peritoneal Dialysis: Remote Patient Monitoring, Retention and Improved Patient Outcomes with Vikram Aggarwal, MD, DNB, FASN.
Nephrologists: Sign Up for Home Dialysis University in February or March
02/07/2024
HDU offers two trainings for Fellows and welcomes physicians, PAs, and NPs February 18-20, 2024 in Charlotte, NC and March 17-19, 2024 in Costa Mesa (Los Angeles), CA. The fee for Fellows is $125 and there are travel grants for fellows who attend the full event in person. Sponsors are the American Society of Nephrology and the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis. Register today!
Minimally-invasive Hernia Repair for PD
01/17/2024
This abstract discusses a new PD guideline for minimally invasive procedure to repair a hernia, place a PD catheter, and save a catheter that isn’t work as it should.
Quanta Machine is Safe and Effective
01/17/2024
An ASN abstract described a study of how safe and effective the Quanta Dialysis System for home HD is when 23 patients and care partners used it, vs. dialysis staff. Fifteen had switched from in-center, and 11 of them were home by the 5th week of training.
Baxter Empowers has Tools for Healthcare Professionals
11/15/2023
On this site, find information on Baxter’s PD Excellence Academy, Home Options Network, My Baxter for nurses and patients and more.
Baxter Highlights New Sharesource Data at ASN Kidney Week
11/15/2023
Sharesource is associated with a 77% lower risk of home dialysis technique failure, reports a new abstract.
Trace Medical to Distribute Tablo Machines to Home Medical Equipment Providers
11/15/2023
The new agreement could make Tablo machines available to more patients.
Premier Dialysis Uses One Long Overnight Icodextrin PD Exchange
10/13/2023
The company treats patients in Michigan and Florida with the dextrose-free PD solution.
Quanta Submits 510(k) Application to the FDA for Home HD
10/13/2023
After completing the “Home Run” study at 13 U.S. sites, Quanta expects to get FDA approval in 2024.
Baxter’s Black KARE (Kidney Awareness, Resources, and Education) Toolkit
10/13/2023
The toolkit aims to help patients who may have health equity challenges take charge of their health and consider PD.
Baxter’s Accredited PD Excellence Academy
09/13/2023
Find thought leaders and PD experts teaching 10+ nursing topics to help PD programs develop PD training nurses. See what the PD Excellence Academy has to offer.
Changes Afoot in Baxter and Medtronic Renal Divisions
08/16/2023
In 2024, Baxter’s kidney care division will become Vantive and Medtronic spun off its renal division to a joint venture with DaVita to form Mozarc Medical.
Vanderbilt Offers a One-year Fellowship Program with Home Dialysis
08/16/2023
The long-time leader in dialysis therapies will now expose fellows to modality education, ESRD transition, in-center dialysis, home dialysis and vascular access.
Cannulation and PD Catheter Training Aids
04/19/2023
For $399 to $899, purchase devices to help patients learn how to cannulate a fistula or graft or use a PD catheter.
Peritoneal Dialysis: Expanding Patient Options and Reducing Complications
04/19/2023
Dr. Jeff Perl from Canada presented for the Rogosin Institute 2023 Symposium. Watch this 26-minute presentation.
FDA Warning Letter for Toxic PD and Home HD Tubing
04/19/2023
Patients may have exposure to toxic chemicals (NDL PCBA and NDL PCBs) in tubing used in HD machines and for PD. These toxins can affect endocrine, liver, reproductive systems as well as behavior. Fresenius changed to its tubing to fix this.
Dialyze Direct to Improve Care Coordination for Home Dialysis Patients in Nursing Homes
02/10/2023
New DD partner WellSky has a network of 2,000 hospitals and 130,000 post-acute and community settings. Care coordinators and discharge planners in WellSky’s CarePort solutions will streamline discharges to nursing homes where Dialyze Direct provides care, so dialysis patients who need rehab will get higher quality care.
ISPD Home Dialysis University for Nephrology Fellows in March and April
02/10/2023
Learn home dialysis from the pros March 19-21 in Chicago, IL or April 16-18 in Albuquerque, NM. You’ll enjoy didactic and group sessions to find out how to run a program and prescribe home treatments. Travel grants are available. See the program and register here.
Annual Dialysis Conference In Person in Kansas City, March 3-6, 2023
02/10/2023
Attend a Home Dialysis Symposium on Friday, March 3 and lots of sessions on PD and HD with multiple exciting topics by leading experts. Click on Program at https://annualdialysisconference.org/. Register here: https://mimh.configio.com/pd/2665/adc-2023-attendee
Baxter Plans New Kidney Care Business for Growth and Innovation
01/10/2023
In 12-18 months, Baxter plans to spin off its Renal Care and Acute Therapies businesses into a separate publicly traded company.
Outset Medical’s stock jumped 22.5% in December 2022
01/10/2023
Maker of the Tablo HD machine signed a 5-year contract with the VA to provide machines for over 100 VA hospitals in the U.S. and home patients treated by the VA.
A Beginner’s Mindset Helped Leslie Trigg take Outset Medical to New Heights
01/10/2023
Trigg had a background in private equity—not dialysis one, so she used curiosity and common sense for decision-making and leading the company in Tablo design, manufacturing, FDA approval, and onto the stock exchange.
Quanta wins 2022 MacRobert Award
12/19/2022
The Royal Academy of Engineering in the U.K. awarded its prestigious MacRobert Award for engineering innovation in 2022 to Quanta Dialysis Technologies. Quanta developed its compact portable SC+ dialysis machine based on a machine to reconstitute orange juice. Read more and watch the video.
Tablo Sales Boost Outset Bottom Line
12/19/2022
Product revenues increased 5.5% and service revenues increased in Q3 of 2022 over 2021. The Tablo is used for acute and home HD, and Outset won a 5-year VA contract for Tablo in hospitals and homes.
DaVita’s new Home CMO Promotes Education and Home Dialysis
12/19/2022
In a 3.5-minute video, Dr. Mihran Jaljayan talks about DaVita’s efforts to improve outcomes, safety and health equity, including promoting home as a first treatment for patients who can’t get a transplant right away. Watch the video.
Baxter Highlights Home Dialysis at Kidney Week 2022
11/16/2022
Baxter presented four recent studies about the role innovation plays in increasing access to and quality of home dialysis and expanded hemodialysis (HDx) care at Kidney Week 2022, Nov. 3-6, Orlando, Florida.
InnAVasc Acquired by W.L. Gore And Associates
10/17/2022
InnAVasc is a graft device designed for safe, easy, cannulation, and protects the graft from accidental punctures and damage from frequent needle sticks. The still-investigational device will complement Gore’s product line, which includes graft material.
Baxter May Sell Two Kidney Care Businesses
10/17/2022
Baxter is working with advisers to explore the potential sale of its renal care services and hemodialysis divisions. (Editor’s note: Looks like they would plan to stay in PD).
FMC-NA is Company of Choice to Treat Veterans
09/13/2022
The VA awarded a five-year contract to FMCNA to treat more than 35,000 military veterans receiving dialysis from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Outset Gets FDA Green Light
08/11/2022
About a month and a half after pausing shipments of its Tablo hemodialysis system for at-home use, Outset Medical has secured the renewed FDA home HD clearance it was waiting for, allowing for new sales of the updated system.
Outset Halts Tablo Sales for Home Use Pending FDA Review of New Features
07/13/2022
As Outset has added features improving Tablo since the FDA first cleared it for use, it has now had to submit another 510(k) application to the FDA, thus limiting sales to acute facilities only.
Baxter Showcases Kidney Care Products
06/10/2022
Baxter is committed to leading access to insight-driven innovation and services so patients can live their best lives.
DaVita and Medtronic to Launch New Kidney Tech Company
06/10/2022
Medtronic and DaVita plan to create a new company in the next year to develop new dialysis delivery systems and other technologies to treat kidney failure.
Outset Tablo Could Boost Use of Home Hemodialysis
05/12/2022
In data from a survey of 202 dialysis patients presented at the NKF Spring Clinicals meeting in Boston, MA, 77% said the features of the Tablo would make them more likely to try home HD. In addition, 77% of 184 nephrologist agreed that the Tablo features were “a significant improvement”—and 98% said they would be more likely to recommend home HD to their patients.
Outset Medical Presents Three New Datasets at NKF Spring Clinicals
04/18/2022
Outset presented new data about what dialyzors and nephrologists think about home therapies, as well information about the cost of PD failure—which is linked with a nearly 100% risk of hospitalization in the subsequent 6 months.
Davita Appoints New Chair of Home Therapies
03/16/2022
DaVita Kidney Care has appointed Mihran Naljayan, MD, as its new chief medical officer of home modalities.
Dialyze Direct Aims to Acquire Compass Home Dialysis
02/15/2022
By the end of this month, Dialyze Direct intends to obtain Compass, a regional dialysis provider in PA that has an outpatient dialysis clinic and offers services in nine skilled nursing facilities. With Compass, Dialyze Direct will expand its services to more than 130 SNFs in 13 states.
Fresenius PD Patient Education Experience Wins Award
02/15/2022
A comprehensive home dialysis digital training platform complements the in-person training between a nephrology nurse and PD patient. Accessed by tablet, the platform offers educational handouts, videos, and educational checkpoints.
Dialyze Direct Expands
01/14/2022
Dialyze Direct, the nation’s leading provider of hemodialysis services in skilled nursing facilities expands into Ohio and Virginia with the acquisition of Renew Dialysis.
Fresenius Provides China with New Options to Dialyze at Home
12/16/2021
Fresenius showcased its HD machine, new PD cycler, and DiaSmart home dialysis therapy management sytstem at the China International Import Expo.
Baxter Launches My Kidney Journey in the Asian Pacific Region
12/16/2021
A comprehensive online portal will teach people with chronic kidney disease about coping, symptoms, causes, stages—and treatment options, including PD, home HD, in-center HD, and transplant.
FMC Named Among Newsweek Magazine’s “Most Loved Workplaces”
11/12/2021
Fresenius ranked among the top 100 companies to work for—and one of the top 3 healthcare companies on the list—due to its work work around diversity, equity, and inclusion, which are an "emphasis for everyone."
The Future Of Kidney Care At Home
11/12/2021
Mahesh Krishnan, MD, MPH, MBA, VP of Davita Research and Development envisions a technology-driven future for home dialysis that is very different from current practice. It includes personalized home training with virtual reality headsets, automated home support, new options—like wearables, nutrition support, and inventory control and connectivity.
Outset Medical Beat Q2 Wall Street Projections
09/14/2021
Shares of Outset were up after an announcement that the company is selling machines and has beat the Wall Street predictions. The full-year revenue is estimated to be between $97 and $100 million for 2021.
Fresenius Invests to Help Humacyte Develop Implantable Blood Vessels
09/14/2021
Fresenius has invested an additional $25 million in Humacyte Inc, to help the implantable vessel company get market approval. The new vessels, which can be used to create and repair vascular accesses, are now being tested in a clinical trial for use in dialysis.
Diality Appoints Chief Business Officer
08/12/2021
Dan Guthrie will use his 20+ years of senior leadership and commercialization experience to help guide portable home HD company Diality into the next phase of its operations. “Our technology offers significant potential to provide value to patients, providers, and payers as the [dialysis] category evolves from a volume to a value-based care model over the next decade,” says Guthrie.
FMC-NA Names Joe Turk New President for Renal Therapies Group
08/12/2021
Joseph (Joe) Turk succeeds Mark Constanzo, who recently retired, as the new President for the Fresenius Medical Care North America Renal Therapies Group, and will now oversee the renal products and pharmaceutical operations.
Quanta Receives $245M Investment for SC+ Home HD System
07/12/2021
UK-based Quanta’s compact, simple, and powerful SC+ home HD system has attracted new funding, which will speed up penetration into the U.S. market and allow the company to scale up.
Outset Tablo Will be Used by Strive Health in New, KY Dialysis Clinic
07/12/2021
New player (as of 2018) Strive Health wants to slow CKD—and help more patients get to home dialysis. The company will offer patients direct and virtual clinical services, home dialysis education and training, and advanced care planning in a state of the art facility.
Outset Medical and Satellite Announce Agreement to Increase HHD
07/12/2021
The Outset Tablo dialysis system for HHD will be used in Satellite dialysis clinics, as the companies collaborate on education and training to boost patient awareness and adoption of home dialysis.
Baxter Introduces Sharesource Analytics 1.0.
07/12/2021
Healthcare professionals can use Sharesource remote patient management to monitor home PD treatments and adjust therapy—which can reduce the need for unplanned clinic visits.
Outset Joins Moving Health Home Coalition
06/15/2021
Outset Medical, Inc. has joined Moving Health Home, to help change how policymakers think about various types of home healthcare—including dialysis. The coalition members include Amazon Care, Landmark Health, and Signify Health.
Fresenius Kinexus Platform Helps Patients, Teams Share PD Data
06/15/2021
Fresenius is now using the cloud-based health platform, which is expected to reduce patient hospital stays and PD technique failure—while reducing PD dropout and helping people to stay on PD therapy longer.
DaVita Mobile Platform Adds Virtual Home Dialysis Support Groups
06/15/2021
The DaVita Care Connect® mobile health platform for home dialysis has a new addition to help create community and overcome isolation. Home Support Specialists will encourage weekly or daily sharing between patients.
Aetna And Fresenius Medical Care North America Partner to Treat ESRD Patients
05/14/2021
Aetna and FMC-NA are extending their value-based arrangement to better treat patients with ESRD—who are now eligible to enroll in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. The partners will align reimbursement with quality benchmarks and develop metrics tied to CMS measures to better manage ESRD care.
Fresenius Expands NxStage and Nx2me Agreement with DaVita
04/16/2021
With its remote capabilities and connectivity, the NxStage home HD machine and health platform is something that DaVita plans to grow with. DaVita Group VP for Home Modalities notes that the company aims to support “patients’ desire to stay on their treatment of choice longer,” and Joe Turk, President of Home and Critical Care Therapies for Fresenius is “excited to expand our longstanding colalboration with DaVita to help more patients benefit from the portability, dependability, and flexibility of our NxStage home machines.”
Fresenius Partners with Descartes to Improve Home Dialysis Supply Delivery
03/09/2021
More efficient route planning, delivery appointment booking, mobile proof-of-delivery, and notifications will make life easier for those waiting for life-saving dialysis supplies. The Descartes technology-based delivery solution is intended to improve supply distribution to homes and clinics.
Fresenius Fleet Management Solution Supports Home Dialysis Growth
02/09/2021
With the rollout of Descartes’, a comprehensive delivery solution to improve distribution of equipment and services to home patients and dialysis centers across the U.S., Fresenius is poised to grow home therapies. Descartes starts this month and is expected to go nationwide later this year.
Outset Medical Analyzed By Investors
01/12/2021
Outset Medical reported 309% revenue growth to $33 million in the first 9 months of 2020, with system sales as the primary driver so far.
Quanta Appoints John S. Lipman as President of North America
12/10/2020
UK-based Quanta has a new President for its North American operations. John is using his 25 years of medical device leadership to ready the U.S. for launch, following FDA Approval.
Baxter’s Theranova Dialyzer Debuts
11/12/2020
Dialysis Care Center (DCC) Evergreen Park is the first location in the U.S. where Baxter’s Theranova, a novel dialyzer designed to more closely mimic a natural kidney, is being used for patient care.
CVS Health Announces New CEO
11/12/2020
Karen S. Lynch will become the new President and CEO, effective February 1, 2021, for CVS health, a division of CVS which announced it would promote home dialysis.
Redsense Rocks
10/12/2020
All of the five largest dialysis care providers, including 8,000 receiving home hemodialysis, are now using the Redsense Alarm as a precautionary measure to prevent hemorrhage due to Venous Needle Dislodgement.
Medtronic to Acquire Avenu Medical—and Ellipsys Endovascular System
10/12/2020
Next month, Medtronic and Avenu Medical expect to close an acquisition deal that will gain the large medical technology company a system that will allow creation of a dialysis fistula without the need for open surgery, and will add to its offerings in the hemodialysis vascular access space.
Outset Files for Initial Public Offer
09/11/2020
Outset Medical makes portable dialysis systems for use in hospitals and for home dialysis, has filed preliminary Securities and Exchange Commission paperwork for an IPO, with the aim of raising $100M.
FDA Approves Baxter Theranova
09/11/2020
Baxter’s new Theranova dialyzer is designed to filter out a wider range of solutes from the blood to more closely mimic healthy kidneys—including molecules linked with heart and inflammatory disease seen in kidney failure
Baxter & Ayogo A Go
08/11/2020
Baxter is doubling down on digital tools to connect PD patients with their care teams. CKD& Me is a new app created with digital health company partner Ayogo.
Quanta to the Rescue!
07/09/2020
Quanta and its consumables manufacturing partner, Europlaz, have been stepping up to fill an increased UK dialysis demand driven by COVID-19. Quanta was able to deliver in a matter of days and train in less than 6 hours, so ICU nurses could quickly treat patients.
Baxter Reports PD Sharesource Data at ERA-EDTA Virtual Congress
07/09/2020
Telehealth for PD with the Sharesource platform reduced technique failure by 56% compared to usual care in a study of 558 patients, reported Baxter, noting that home treatments are safer during a pandemic. Staff can view and act on patients’ treatment data with no extra clinic visits needed.
Fresenius Plans 100+ New Transitional Care Units in 2020
07/09/2020
TCUs help empower patients new to dialysis to learn their options and engage in their care. With a separate space and dedicated staff, the Fresenius programs have had more than half of participants choose a home option—vs. about 15% with standard care.
United States HHS Deploys 50 Outset Tablo Machines to NY Hospitals
06/10/2020
Tablo HD machines are being used in disaster response—in this case COVID-19—under an HHS contract. With New York City hit hard by the pandemic, the easy to learn and use Tablo, described as “a dialysis clinic on wheels,” fills a critical gap in acute ICU care.
Quanta Steps Up to Support COVID-19 Patients in the UK
06/10/2020
The new Quanta SC+ hemodialysis device is being used to treat COVID-19 patients in the ICU. Quanta has been working tirelessly to support dialysis, as up to 1/3 of COVID-19 patients have acute kidney injury—and has even 3D printed mask adaptors and face shield frames for healthcare professionals. Training to use the easy-to-learn SC+ takes less than 6 hours.
Fresenius CEO Rice Powell on Lessons Learned From Covid 19
05/12/2020
In a Washington Post story, Powell notes that Fresenius has been planning since January for the pandemic, and has been offering staff child- and eldercare stipends and supplemental pay. The company offers isolation capacity for COVID-19 positive patients and has set up a National Intensive Renal Care Reserve to meet hospital needs for acute dialysis. Telemedicine and home dialysis options have expanded, and—Powell asserts—“Home dialysis is the best form of care for reducing infection risk and protecting vulnerable patients.”
Dialysis Industry Leaders Come Together to Fight Public Health Crisis
04/13/2020
U.S. Renal Care, Inc., Fresenius, DaVita, and others are collaborating to support dialysis patients with COVID-19. The group pledges to create a safety network of dialysis clinics that focus on patients affected by the novel coronavirus without exposing healthy people.
Fresenius Telehealth Hub
03/16/2020
Fresenius now offers a user-friendly telehealth solution to improve connection between patients and physicians. Citing fewer hospital admissions and less technique failure, TheHub will roll out beyond pilot markets this year to increase access to care, reduce travel burdens, and maintain contact between patients and their home support teams.
DaVita Care Connect Mobile App
03/16/2020
DaVita Care Connect is a new, secure telehealth platform to connect PD and home HD dialyzors and their care teams. The app allows video visits, education, reminders, image sharing, and secure texting to boost success at home.
Using AI to Increase Nephrologists’ Comfort with Home Dialysis
02/19/2020
“We have heard for many years that nephrologists aren’t comfortable with home dialysis,” said Jeffrey Hymes, MD, Chief Medical Office at Fresenius Kidney Care. According to Hymes and others, artificial intelligence and connected technology offer predictive analytics and solutions to help more patients enjoy the benefits of home therapies.
ADC Session Compared/Contrasted Four Home HD Machines
02/19/2020
Last week at the Annual Dialysis Conference in Kansas City, NxStage, Quanta, Outset Medical’s Tablo and the Physidia S3 each had a chance to present the latest developments for their home HD machines. And, this year’s ADC home hemodialysis preconference workshop had 150 engaged participants. Missed it? Mark your calendar for next year. Patient choice is coming! (And, watch for a blog with more detail about each machine).
Safe At Home
01/09/2020
The unique Tablo home HD machine, which requires just a faucet, drain, and electrical outlet and produces its own dialysate, met its primary endpoint—a weekly standard Kt/V of 2.1—in a safety and efficacy trial of in-center and home use. The next step is to obtain FDA approval for home HD.
Fresenius: Growth of Home Dialysis is NINE Times that of In-Center HD
12/10/2019
With more than 25,000 home dialysis patients and impressive growth, the Fresenius investment in innovation to improve care appears to be paying off. Executive VP and CMO Robert Kossmann, MD, noted that “The goals of the executive order are aligned with our existing strategy and our company’s commitment to increasing the accessibility of home therapies for our patients.”
Outset Wins HHS Contract for Tablo HD System Use in Natural Disasters
11/16/2019
By the end of 2019, a new U.S. Health & Human Services contract will be in effect to use the Tablo HD systems for disaster support. Tablo uses wireless data, sensor-based automation and an animated touchscreen to purify water and produce dialysate, for dialysis with just an electrical outlet and tap water. CEO Leslie Trigg said “Tablo’s design enables fast deployment to the field using existing water sources in the disaster-affected community. Its simplicity accelerates training and set-up time.”
Fresenius TheHub is Three Connected Applications in One
11/16/2019
TheHub, a new health platform to improve remote monitoring of home patients has three components: “PatientHub” is for lab results/meds and messaging care teams, “CareTeamHub,” is for daily monitoring and clinical decision support, and “ProviderHub,” is for real-time physician access to medical records from devices.
Dialyze Direct is Marching into Maryland
10/14/2019
Offering turn-key home dialysis in skilled nursing facilities, Dialyze Direct provides gentler dialysis to a medically challenged patient population. Their model reduces recovery time after treatment and transportation burdens—while improving patients’ quality of life.
Outset Outshines!
10/14/2019
Congratulations to Outset, which won a contract from the U.S. Health & Human Services Dept. for use of its Tablo hemodialysis systems in response to natural disasters.
Davita Home Dialysis Connect
10/14/2019
Davita’s Home Dialysis Connect technologies aims to optimize care and and reduce isolation. The suite of products includes Bluetooth remote monitoring, two of three visits per quarter done virtually, online courses, a mobile app, and artificial intelligence to watch for high-risk patients.
Baxter Sharesource Supports Success
10/14/2019
Rates of hospitalization dropped significantly (39%) and days dropped by 54% among patients managed with the Sharesource remote PD platform, vs. those who were not, finds a new Baxter study. The platform allows healthcare providers to review patients’ treatment data and adjust their settings—without a clinic visit.
Dialyze Direct Staff-Assisted Home Dialysis Company Starts Innovation Lab
09/12/2019
From its roots offering nursing home dialysis, Dialyze Direct has noted gaps in dialysis efficiency—and is acting to close them by starting an Innovation Lab that is already collaborating on a project to use plasmapheresis to remove additional blood toxins, and a project with MIT to develop nanotechnology that will move dialysis closer to “true renal replacement.”
“Amazing” Somatus Pilot to Treat ESRD Patients at Home
09/12/2019
Values-based kidney care company Somatus reports that its innovative pilot program of sending interdisciplinary care team members into patients’ homes and offering customized support and care plans has closed gaps in care and resulted in savings in its first performance year.
Fresenius Invests in BioIntellisense AI Platform
09/12/2019
“We made this strategic investment in BioIntelliSense to enable our medical staff to more efficiently and effectively continuously monitor patients, facilitating precise and timely interventions and reducing cost to the system,” explains FMCNA CEO, Bill Valle.
CVS Testing Drugstore Nephrology Nurses
09/12/2019
In a new care model with Aetna launched in six markets in April, CVS is piloting placing nurse practitioners at pharmacies to help identify and manage CKD and connect patients to the resources they need. As a home-first company, CVS has also developed a HealthHUB support system to help home patients stay home, reports Bruce Culleton, MD, Vice President and CMO for CVS Kidney Care.
Dialyze Direct Expands Dialysis in Skilled Nursing Facilities
08/14/2019
Now in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas, Dialyze Direct allows patients to receive skilled nursing care and dialysis at the same site. This model reduces costs and is more compassionate for patients.
HHS Secretary Alex Azar Obtains Baxter Commitment to Workers
08/14/2019
Azar joined Baxter CEO Joe Almeida, who signed the “Pledge to America’s Workers,” a commitment on the part of companies to train workers.
Fresenius Expands Home Dialysis Supplies
06/13/2019
A new distribution center to support home dialysis broke ground in Knoxville, TN, to help make it easier to support patients doing home dialysis therapies. The center will manufacture PD fluid and other home dialysis supplies.
Thiry to Step Down as Davita CEO
05/15/2019
Javier Rodriguez will take over as CEO on June 1, replacing longtime chief Kent Thiry, who is retiring from the post after 20 years. Thiry will become the Executive Chairman of the DaVita Board of Directors.
Northwest Kidney Centers Gets Bigger and Better
03/12/2019
Northwest Kidney Center, the nation’s 8th largest dialysis provider, opens its third new clinic in the region since last year, and the first in Pierce County, Washington.
Fresenius and NxStage Seal the Deal
03/12/2019
Just last month, it was reported that the Fresenius purchase of NxStage would not be final until August. But, a couple of weeks ago, they finalized the acquisition. We hope this will be the start of a happy “marriage” that will improve the lives of U.S. dialyzors.
Dialyze Direct
02/14/2019
Dialyze Direct LLC now owns Affiliated Dialysis Centers LLC, and the new combination means they are the largest U.S. provider of staff-assisted home HD in nursing homes.
Fresenius Purchase of NxStage Delayed Until August by FTC
02/14/2019
The government shutdown delayed FTC approval of a Fresenius acquisition of NxStage Medical, Inc. The transaction is now expected to close in August 2019.
R.I.P. Dr. Drake
01/11/2019
Nephrologist Richard F. Drake, MD, who worked with engineer Charlie Willock on the Drake-Willock dialysis machine in the 1960s, died on Nov. 26, 2018 at the age of 85.
Fresenius Still Awaits FTC Approval to Buy NxStage Medical
01/11/2019
The company expects the delayed transaction to close early this year.
Baxter 2019 PD University for Surgeons and Interventional Radiologists
01/11/2019
Surgeons and interventionists can learn to put in PD catheters in Aurora, CO; Surgeons on Monday, March 4 (www.pdusurgeons.com), and Interventionists on Tuesday, March 5
Rogosin Opens Home Dialysis Training Center in Brooklyn
12/14/2018
Congrats to Rogosin on launching the first freestanding home-only program in the NYC area! The new clinic will train both staff and dialyzors in PD and home HD.
Dialysis Clinic on Wheels
10/12/2018
Outset is moving ahead to get its Tablo Hemodialysis System to market. The Tablo is designed for acute and chronic markets, and needs just an electrical outlet and tap water. Read the story.
Sept. 12 – Learn About Urgent Start PD—and Earn a Free CE Credit
09/11/2018
A Fresenius Medical Education Webex that is open to all will discuss optimal PD starts, how to identify candidates for urgent start PD, factors in success, chronic dialysis, and transitioning to HD. Preregister here for the session at 3pm Eastern time:https://www.cvent.com/events/medical-education-webex-series/event-summary-d2ca127a10594ddfb52335b657b58bb2.aspx
New DCI Clinic in Albany Would Offer Home Training & Support
08/13/2018
Hudson Falls patients won’t have to travel outside their county for treatment if a new DCI clinic is approved by the state of NY.
Fresenius Brings Home Therapies to West Virginia
08/13/2018
Morgantown, WV is the new home of a brand spanking new Fresenius clinic that offers home and in-center treatments.
Motley Fool Speculates About Fresenius Purchase of NxStage
06/12/2018
Will NxStage stock price volatility affect he sale of NxStage to purchaser Fresenius Medical Care? Time will tell, and revenues are up, but profits are not.
Go Big AND Go Home with Northwest Kidney Centers!
05/11/2018
NKC is now the proud owner of 4 acres of land at SeaTac for a new dialysis clinic! The new site will serve 150 patients and offer CKD education and home dialysis training.
DaVita Celebrates a Year of Podcasts
05/11/2018
Since April of 2017, a succession of luminaries have spoken as part of a DaVita Medical Insights series that includes topics related to home dialysis.
Fresenius and the 'Nx' Stage Of Growth
05/11/2018
A business article describes Fresenius as a “top player,” that makes well thought out acquisitions—most recently NxStage—which is viewed as an attempt to grow its PD business.
NxStage Shared its Knowledge at the ADC
04/12/2018
NxStage presented seven different abstracts at the March ADC meeting in Orlando, reporting on the option of using the System One in nursing homes, patient preferences for solo home HD, a reduced risk of intradialytic hypotension with home HD, and more.
New Baxter PD Cycler in Korea
04/12/2018
Korean dialysis patients have a new automated PD option: Baxter launched its new Homechoice Claria, a smaller cycler with improved functions, including ShareSource, cloud-based communication of treatment information to the healthcare team. The new machine even minimizes alarms during sleep.
Fresenius a “Top Performer” in its Sector
04/12/2018
Fresenius Medical Care is a leader in the MedTech sector, with a “Buy” rating from Zacks. An international company with a diversified product range, both revenue and net income to shareholders is expected to rise.
Davita Educational Tools You Might Not Be Aware Of
03/16/2018
DaVita web tools can help determine the risk of kidney disease, learn about CKD, follow a kidney-friendly diet, cook new meal options—and find out about home dialysis options.
NW Kidney Centers is Growing
02/15/2018
NW Kidney Centers plans 3 new centers this year, one in Fife, and two in Federal Way. These are areas where kidney failure is on the rise, and the demand for dialysis services continues to increase.
NxStage Voluntary Sak Recall
02/15/2018
Higher levels of endotoxin than NxStage tolerates were found in less than 1% of affected sak lots, so they notified patients who had those lots and issued a voluntary recall. An FDA recall was not required.
Insights Into the Kidney Market
01/11/2018
The Berkshire-Hathaway BusinessWire predicts increasing demand for dialysis in general and PD in particular for 2017-21.
Home HD with NxStage Boosts Transplant Chances
01/11/2018
More than 5,000 people have received a kidney transplant after doing more frequent home HD with a NxStageⓇ System One—a rate 14% higher than among those who do standard in-center HD.
Northwest Kidney Centers Receives High Marks
11/13/2017
NKC is still going strong after 55 years of service, with high star rankings, a 4% increase in treatments delivered, $15M of research pledges, mobile palliative care, and much more. The first place in the U.S. to receive dialysis is still among the best! Read the story.
PD-First Program For Baxter Employees and Families
11/13/2017
Baxter employees and their covered family members can develop CKD, too. Starting January 1, 2018, they will be eligible for case management and a monthly self-care payment. Read the story.
Fresenius Buys NxStage
11/13/2017
NxStage shareholders have approved a merger agreement with Fresenius Medical Care, which is expected to take place in 2018. Read the story.
Satellite Optimal Transitions Program to Boost PD and Home HD
10/13/2017
A new Optimal Transitions (OT) program is aimed to help people with new onset kidney failure learn about their disease and fit a treatment option to their lives. During the first 1-4 weeks of dialysis, intensive education is offered, and the care team helps patients make a modality choice based on their goals.
Attending the ASN Meeting in New Orleans?
10/13/2017
Attending the ASN Meeting in New Orleans? Visit the MEI Booth! Each year, the non-profit MEI, which runs Home Dialysis Central, exhibits at ASN to raise awareness of resources to support patient-centered care and home therapies. If you’ll be there, stop by booth #1439 and see what’s new!
Happy Anniversary!
08/17/2017
Nxstage celebrated 10 years on HHD with more than 100 patients who used the System One for a decade or longer.
Buy Fresenius
08/17/2017
It’s no surprise to find that acquisitions have been long been driving this company’s ambitious growth strategy. Last year, the company spent $367M. (Editor’s note: And, they’ve already well exceeded that for this year!)
Early Sharesource Findings
07/14/2017
Sharesource is Baxter’s cloud-based, remote PD patient management system. In a study of 399 patients followed for a year, 30% were non-adherent during the early months of PD. The company is hopeful that the system will shed light on early PD dropout.
Up, Up, and Away
07/14/2017
A business analyst rated Baxter stock a strong BUY, as the PD market has an attractive growth rate in the range of 5% to 6%, and the option is flexible and allows a more normal life.
All Systems Go for NxStage Next Generation
06/12/2017
The next generation of the Nxstage System One received FDA approval. A new touchscreen user interface and integrated blood pressure monitor are designed to enhance ease of use for home HD.
On the Grow Again
05/10/2017
DaVita Kidney Care closed its acquisition of Colorado-based Renal Ventures Management LLC on May 1, adding 31 dialysis centers in six states.
Fresenius Continues to Expand
05/10/2017
Europe’s largest publicly traded medical group continues its 10-year expansion, buying up hospitals and pharmaceutical companies.
NxStage Stock Receives a Third Buy Rating in a Row
04/12/2017
BTIG, Piper Jaffray, and Northland Securities have all assigned Buy ratings to NxStage, which trades as NXTM on the NASDAQ. In the past quarter, more insiders have been buying the stock.
Follow the Path Home
04/12/2017
Satellite had TEN presentations at last month’s Annual Dialysis Conference, including a Keynote address at the Home HD preconference workshop, and an award-winning nursing abstract. The meeting was attended by Satellite’s PATHFinders—patient liaisons who help bridge the way home.
A New Doctor in the House
02/08/2017
Northwest Kidney Centers has appointed Dr. Suzanne Watnick of Portland as chief medical officer.
…And a Penny Earned
02/08/2017
Baxter saw its earnings rise by 19% to 44 US cents a share, up from 37 US cents a share at the same stage a year earlier.
A Penny Saved…
02/08/2017
Davita and Fresenius have each reached agreement with the Federal government on underpayments for services to Veterans, netting them a combined total of more than $500M.
Kudos to DCI: Lowest Hospital & Death Rates 14 Years Running!
12/09/2016
The largest non-profit U.S. dialysis provider beats the big guys when it comes to keeping people alive—and out of the hospital—finds the most recent United States Renal Data System Annual Data Report.
A Fresh Start
12/09/2016
Patients who are starting dialysis, especially if they “crash” in with little advanced warning, have emotional and educational needs that are rarely met. NxStage suggests a new approach that can make a difference.
Welcome Aboard!
12/09/2016
Satellite welcomes Robert Fahlman to its Board of Directors. The CEO of Preferred Homecare/Lifecare Solutions, Fahlman has more than 30 years of experience in health care executive management, and his dedication to bettering health outcomes for patients will serve Satellite well.
NxStage is Trending Toward Profitability
11/10/2016
People laughed at Jeff Bezos for years before he laughed his way to the bank with Amazon! NxStage is not in the black yet—but is posting better sales and a narrower net loss than expected.
Baxter Innovation Wins the Day!
11/10/2016
Baxter's new AMIA automated peritoneal dialysis cycler—the smallest and lightest weight PD cycler ever—won the Chicago Innovation Award.
Satellite Leads the Way
11/10/2016
CMS ratings show that Satellite Healthcare’s philosophy of improving life for people living with kidney disease by humanizing dialysis pays off! Satellite leads the industry with the highest percentage of top-rated dialysis centers among the 10 largest national dialysis providers.
Home Dialysis Training Center Comes to Central PA
10/13/2016
Fresenius has opened a new home dialysis training in a former bank building in East Pennsboro Township. Besides training for home therapies, the center will also contain pharmacy and education services.
Dialysis Clinic Inc. Goes for the Gold.
09/14/2016
DCI has been awarded first place for their Lexington’s Home Therapy program’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement awards. Congratulations!
NxStage Keeps Innovating
09/14/2016
NxStage plans to roll out an enhanced priming feature and a lineup of other products, including a next-generation touchscreen user interface with integrated blood pressure monitor in late 2016, followed by an on-demand bicarb fluid system, and a PD system expected to launch by late 2017.
New Satellite-Baxter Collaboration
09/14/2016
Satellite Healthcare will integrate Baxter’s latest technology in PD, HD, and continuous renal replacement therapy into service offerings for their 7,000+ patients. Both companies are committed to moving patients home by providing state of the art technology to patients.
Davita Shines in the Kitchen.
08/09/2016
Recently Davita launched a collection of renal recipes that allow those on a kidney diet to enjoy their favorite restaurant dishes at home, focusing on portion control, fresh ingredients, flavorful seasonings, and limited sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.
Baxter’s REVACLEAR Dialyzer May Offer New Benefits
08/09/2016
A new study of 37,500 HD patient records found that use of a REVACLEAR high flux dialyzer was linked to the need for 100 to 600 fewer units of ESA per treatment than matched patients who used an Optiflux® 160 or 180 dialyzer. Researchers also noted a trend toward lower IV iron doses with the Revaclear—while keeping the same HD dose and hemoglobin level.
Redsense is on the Rise
07/12/2016
Dialysic Clinics, Inc. has placed an initial order with Redsense for blood leak detectors to use in nocturnal dialysis.
Baxter Advances PD in Canada
07/12/2016
Baxter introduces Canada to the AMIA PD cycler, which features animated graphics and automated step-by-step instructions with voice guidance, and is designed to address the efficiency of home PD therapy.
New Satellite Clinic Launched in…
07/12/2016
Satellite opens a new dialysis clinic in Memphis to train HHD patients.
Dialysis Where the Home is
07/12/2016
DaVita offers 12 in-center dialysis stations and two home training rooms at Woodland Hills, bringing comprehensive kidney care close to home for Seniors in an independent or assisted living community.
Fresenius Advances Critline Technology
06/08/2016
The new CLiC device is a step forward in the evolution of volume management during HD.
Baxter Bullish on Home Dialysis
06/08/2016
Baxter expects the $13.4B home dialysis market to grow to $17 billion by 2021.
On the Move Again
05/12/2016
Nxstage opens two more Kidney Care Centers in the Baltimore MD area. The new clinics in Linthicum Heights and Timonium offer in-center HD, PD, daily and nocturnal home HD, and respite care—along with home trainin, travel assistance, and help to navigate the transplant system.
Dialysis Giant Reinvents Itself
05/12/2016
Fresenius Kidney Care will focus on customers’ unique health care needs, starting with the launch of a new, user-friendly website and new social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
DSI + U.S. Renal Care
04/12/2016
It’s a done $640 million deal, says the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Satellite Healthcare will pick up three DSI clinics in Laredo, TX that must be divested.
Nxstage Goes North of the Border
04/12/2016
For Manitoba HHD patients, the new availability of the NxStage System One is a game-changer. Blair Waldvogel and his familiy look forward to taking the portable machine on U.S. vacations, instead of having to pay high treatment fees in American clinics.
Satellite Opens Fourth Tennessee Clinic
04/12/2016
Chickasaw Gardens, TN, is the site of Satellite Healthcare’s fourth Tennessee dialysis clinic. Opened in partnership with fellow non-profit University Clinical Health, the new clinic aims to help the Memphis area’s African American community
NxStage: System One in the Driver’s Seat
03/10/2016
NxStage performance improvements were driven by its products business, particularly outperformance from the System One cycler, in home and critical care markets.
Fresenius Enters Japanese Dialysis Market
03/10/2016
German dialysis provider Fresenius Medical Care has acquired Japan's largest dialysis group with about 6,000 patients.
DaVita Reports QIP Results
03/10/2016
Davita is the clinical leader in the Medicare Quality Incentive Program (QIP) for the third year in a row.
NxStage Brings Home Dialysis to Memphis
02/09/2016
NxStage Kidney Care opened its first Memphis clinic, and is working to get the word out about the benefits of home dialysis.
Baxter and Toronto’s University Health Network Fund HHD Training
02/09/2016
Nephrology fellows who want to learn how to support home HD can get the chance, thanks to a new partnership announced by the International Society of Nephrology. Advanced clinical education, and improving skills and knowledge will benefit the fellows and their home clinics.
Home Sweet Home at Satellite!
02/09/2016
At Satellite, 22% of patients use a home option—and CEO Rick Barnett plans significant further growth. “Patients do better at home. They feel better. They often times still work. And they have less hospitalization compared to in-center patients,” Barnett notes.
And, congratulations to Satellite for 7 years of “Gentle Night Dialysis”—their in-center nocturnal HD program is serving 500 patients at 10 locations and improving their lives. Read the article.
Hints of What the Future Holds
01/10/2016
NNI summarizes the advances made in kidney care, and what looms on the horizon, NxStage, Debiotech and Baxter, Outset Medical are all working on innovative new dialysis machines.
Non-profit Satellite Healthcare Gives Back
01/10/2016
Satellite donated money, gifts, and food to other non-profits in areas where their clinics are located in a “12 days of giving” program over the holidays. Employees raised money to make donations as well.
Home Treatments Help Fuel Global Dialysis Growth
12/10/2015
The global dialysis market is expected to grow by more than 25% in the next 5 years, from $70 billion now to 93 billion by 2020, with home dialysis and the Asia-Pacific market offering the greatest opportunities.
NxStage Affirms Commitment to Provide Dialysis to US Military
12/10/2015
NxStage can and will provide dialysis at combat support hospitals to help wounded soldiers recover.
Someone is Getting More Profitable…
11/11/2015
The Motley Fool says that NxStage had a great third quarter: a 15% jump in revenue and just 25% of the net losses compared to the same quarter last year. Critical care use of the NxStage System one and home HD are driving the company’s growth.
Will Baxter’s New, Lightweight Amia Cycler Have Enough PD Solution?
11/11/2015
The Amia, premiered at the ASN meeting in San Diego, has a touch screen, voice control, and two-way “Sharesource” connectivity so users and their care teams can communicate with each other. And, we were told at the ASN booth that the new Amia weighs just 18 lbs. and comes complete with a travel case! But, it uses Baxter’s solutions, and cycler solutions remain in short supply.
Fresenius Will Ramp Up PD Solution Production to Ease National Shortage
11/11/2015
The good news: once expansions to the production line of the Fresenius plant in Knoxville is up and running, it will increase production of PD solution to ease the Baxter shortage—and ensure that people can obtain their choice of treatment. The bad news: The new line will not start up until 2017.
Home dialysis training program opens in IL
10/15/2015
If you happen to live in or near Homer Glen, IL and want to do PD or home HD, you’re in luck. The new Home Dialysis Services (HDS) training facility even offers staff-assisted home treatments.
Tablo teaser
10/15/2015
Wondering what the new Tablo home HD machine will do when it comes out? Apparently, it will play music and let users see their data.
New Baxter PD cycler released in the US
10/15/2015
The FDA has approved Baxter’s AMIA cycler. Equipped with voice guidance, a touchscreen panel with animated graphics, and web-based, two-way communication, the new cycler will let nephrologists adjust PD prescriptions remotely.
Satellite moves to 100% single-use dialyzers
10/15/2015
Each dialyzor will get a fresh, new filter for each HD treatment at Satellite now. “By employing only single-use dialyzers, we’re able to eliminate the risk of cross-utilization or exposure to chemical or bacterial contamination,” explains Chief Medical Officer Brigitte Schiller.
NxStage Celebrates 10 Years with Patient Milestones
09/11/2015
To mark the 10-year anniversary of the first portable home HD machine, NxStage is sharing inspiring stories all summer on its Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/NxStage.
Satellite and NxStage Collaborate on Freedom Tour
09/11/2015
One of the best ways to see how much better home treatments can be is to meet someone who is doing them. Full-time construction estimator and project manager Elias Arciniega has five children, never missed a field trip, and does home HD. He and his family are spending a week in Santa Cruz, CA to show others how home HD works and educate people about its benefits.
Satellite WellBound Honors 30+ Year Dialyzor
09/11/2015
Diagnosed with kidney failure in 1969, Gustavo Herrera Castaneda has been on dialysis for decades, minus 3 years for a transplant. More than 10 of those years have been at Satellite WellBound of Modesto, CA, doing home HD.
Nephrologists: Hemodialysis University has a half day on home HD.
08/09/2015
Oct. 2-3 in Chicago. Register here.
Global PD Growth Expected
08/09/2015
Market analysts expect a 4.4% global growth rate for PD products and services over the next 5 years.
Home HD Resources and Customer Service in Spanish
08/09/2015
The entire NxStage website has been translated into Spanish, and the company has added Spanish-speaking customer service representatives to encourage the 30% or so of US patients who speak Spanish to consider home dialysis.
NxStage Hints at Innovation Pipeline for 2016
08/09/2015
The NxStage System One is now 10 years old, and CEO Jeff Burbank shared plans for a next generation home HD system, PD, and in-center HD during a financial call.
Space-saving New Option for Fresenius 2008K@ Home Users
08/09/2015
A new online dry form of bicarbonate called BiBag can save precious storage space for users of the Fresenius 2008K @ Home machine. Replacing large, heavy jugs, the smaller, lighter BiBag is also “greener”, more convenient, and reduces the risk of contamination with germs.
NxStage celebrates 10-year anniversary of the System One
07/08/2015
All summer, NxStage will share stories on Facebook and their own website about how people’s lives have been improved by home HD using the System One—like Jenna Smith, who finished college and became a 3D digital modeler.
Who is happy about the new home HD vs. PD survival study?
07/08/2015
We bet that you can guess that NxStage is pretty excited about the terrific 5-year survival outcomes of home HD—especially since nocturnal HD (which is much more like the treatment done in Australia and New Zealand) has finally been approved in the US.
DaVita to offer home HD in Bengaluru, India
07/08/2015
DaVita Healthcare Partners will provide equipment and facilities to offer pre- and post-dialysis care and home HD in a partnership with Nightingale Home Health Services, which will offer nursing care. People who use dialysis in India must pay for the treatments themselves.
How to Save 221 Million Gallons of Water a Year
06/10/2015
California uses 1.2 billion gallons of water a year for dialysis. Transitioning 20% of standard in-center HD users in California to NxStage would reduce water usage by a lot of swimming pool’s worth! Check out their infographic for details.
Remote-enhanced PD Technology Would Boost Confidence
06/10/2015
Baxter presented survey data from 500+ healthcare providers and consumers at the ERA-EDTA meeting demonstrating that remote monitoring in a PD cycler is a plus that would enhance confidence and control among professionals, and provide more security to users.
NxStage has been busy…
05/09/2015
Just this month, NxStage has established a new scientific advisory board and opened a new clinic in Parkland, FL and one in Pittsburgh.
New NxStage Kidney Care clinic opens in Greenbelt, MD
04/10/2015
The newest NxStage Kidney Care dialysis clinic, located between Baltimore, MD, and Washington DC, will offer short daily and nocturnal home HD, in-center flex care, and short-term respite care using the NxStage machine, along with PD.
CE Mark in Europe approves a PD cycler and web platform
04/10/2015
Baxter’s HomeChoice Claria PD cycler is integrated with the Sharesource web-based connectivity platform. This allows the healthcare team to remotely monitor the treatments and adjust the prescription as needed. The new platform is more intuitive to use and can save clinics time by reducing the need to enter data by hand.
RPA awards 2015 Patient Safety Award to…
04/10/2015
At the annual Renal Physician’s Association meeting in Baltimore, MD, Satellite Healthcare received the organization’s 2015 Patient Safety Award, in recognition of their ongoing efforts to ensure that their patients lead better lives.
Satellite founder Norm Coplon remembered
04/10/2015
A dialysis center at Yosemite National Park, La-Z-Boy recliners instead of hospital beds, and dialyzor trips to Hawaii and Alaska were just a few of the patient-centered choices that Dr. Norm Coplon, founder of the non-profit Satellite Healthcare, is remembered for. The beloved innovator’s vision still guides the organization, though Dr. Coplon passed away at home at age 77, in January.
Guess who’s opened two more home-friendly dialysis clinics?
03/11/2015
NxStage Kidney Care, that’s who! The new clinics in the Boston area, which offer PD, short daily, and nocturnal HD as well as flexible in-center treatments and short-term respite care are close to the NxStage mother ship in Lawrence, MA.
Bigger revenues; smaller losses
03/11/2015
Driven by gains in home HD with the System One cycler and the approval of nocturnal home HD, NxStage had higher revenues and smaller losses than expected for 2014—and has plans for an updated HD machine and PD.
NxStage Hosts Nocturnal Home HD Panel at the ADC
02/10/2015
Now that the FDA has finally approved the NxStage System One for nocturnal home HD, the company can talk about it. Read the press release about their information session.
Northwest Kidney Centers dialysis museum makes unique list
01/08/2015
In the basement of one of the NKC clinics in Seattle, you’ll find fascinating dialysis relics like the suitcase dialysis machine—a fact that added the exhibits to the AP’s story about weird museums. Not planning a trip to Seattle? See it here.
Dialysis Company Co-founded by a Dialyzor Plans India Expansion
01/08/2015
Kamal Shah, the first nocturnal home HD user in India co-founded NephroPlus and is its patient services director. The company is planning to expand and offer more services in India.
A DaVita Trend Worth Watching…
01/08/2015
DaVita dialysis clinics reduced water usage by 20% in 2014, saving an estimated 350 million gallons. DaVita also has a “Village Green” plan in place to reduce energy use. Maybe these efforts will expand to solar and home dialysis energy savings as well?
New Fresenius Clinic Has Room for Home Training
01/08/2015
Replacing a 20-year old clinic with a brand spanking new one has benefits that extend to more options for dialysis. In Casa Grande, AZ, the new clinic will offer training for home treatments that weren’t possible in the smaller, older one.
Two new NxStage Kidney Care clinics
11/07/2014
NxStage Kidney Care held a grand opening for its new South Orlando center in Florida on November 7, and plans to host an opening for its Oak Brook, IL center on November 20th. Both centers offer flex in-center HD as well as PD, home HD, and respite care for home dialyzers.
And, the winner is…
11/07/2014
With more than 4,000 votes from dialyzors, care partners, and colleagues, Nancy Lisak—an RN who also has CKD—became the first winner of NxStage’s Nurse Hero campaign.
And, the New Satellite CEO Is…
10/07/2014
Satellite certainly does a great job of staff retention—former CEO Mark Burke stayed for 23 years. Newly appointed President and CEO Rick J. Barnett brings 30 years of Califorina hospital and ambulatory care experience to his new role, much of it with non-profits. The Satellite board is excited about Barnett’s passion for improving healthcare.
Sequencing ESRD Treatments for a Longer Life
10/07/2014
As the new VP of Clinical Affairs for Home Modalities at DaVita, Martin Schreiber Jr., MD, takes a long-term, home-first view with a focus on what order may be best to help people live as long and well as possible after kidney failure. While he is still learning the ropes at DaVita, it will certainly be worth watching what he does next.
HD with Half the Needles!
10/07/2014
With the newly FDA-approved NxStage OneSite device, HD can be done with just one special needle instead of two—for less pain and a longer-lasting access. OneSite offers a sharp and a buttonhole option, and, with just one needle, dislodgement will set off an alarm and shut down the blood pump for less bleeding risk. Seems like winner.
New Florida home dialysis clinic is not Micky Mouse
09/05/2014
But, it’s nearby! NxStage has opened a new clinic in Orlando—just 12 miles away from Disney World. Offering PD, home HD, and in-center HD, the new clinic is the third for NxStage.
Who is doing well in the home dialysis marketplace?
09/05/2014
If you guessed NxStage, you’re right! Their revenues are up—and this time from the sales of the System One cycler. That’s good news for home dialyzers.
The latest update on the PD solution shortage
09/05/2014
By now, you have no doubt heard that Baxter has not been able to meet the demand for PD solution in the US, and has asked clinics to start only 25% of their usual number of new clients on PD as a result—through the end of 2014. Now, they have signed an agreement with Fresenius to help, and ISPD has weighed in on the challenge.
NxStage Freedom tour brings home HD knowledge to the east coast
08/05/2014
Home dialysis user Charissa Rice and transplant recipient (and former NxStage user) Harvey Wells are touring from Massachusetts to North Carolina in an RV and demonstrating home HD along the way.
Who has stepped into Dr. John Moran’s shoes for DaVIta home dialysis?
08/05/2014
DaVita has tapped Dr. Martin Schreiber, from the Cleveland Clinic, to step up as Vice President of Clinical Affairs for home dialysis. With 40 years of nephrology experience and a patient-centered approach to care, Dr. Schreiber looks to be a terrific choice.
NxStage is changing the way dialysis is offered
06/05/2014
With patient-centered care, access to home treatments, and flexible in-center options, NxStage’s new Jacksonville, FL clinic is unusual in a good way. Learn more about it.
Learn about HD & get CE/CME credits in Chicago, August 15-16
06/05/2014
Are you an MD? RN? Fellow? PCT? The International Society for Hemodialysis (ISHD) is pairing up with Network Strategies & Innovations to hold a Hemodialysis University training weekend, and topics include home HD. Learn from thought leaders, network, and earn credits. Register today!
What can a Centurion do for you?
05/06/2014
The FDA has approved a portable dialysis water treatment system by Ameriwater that can be used in the home! The new Centurion disinfects using heat and has a built-in UF device that makes water even more clean than ultrapure.
NxStage is doing WHAT, now?
05/06/2014
NxStage is ramping up to open more dialysis clinics of its own (aiming for as many as 15 by the end of 2014), and the centers will offer PD as well as HD.
One of our sponsors is celebrating an anniversary!
05/06/2014
Home Dialysis Central congratulates Satellite Healthcare on 40 years of top notch patient care! Started in 1974 by Dr. Norm Coplon, the non-profit provider now has 65 clinics in the US.
How did YOU celebrate National Home Hemodialysis Day?
04/09/2014
NxStage has designated March 20 as National Home Hemodialysis Day, and mailed green wristbands to each NxStage user to help support their new NxStage + One patient-to-patient outreach program.
One of our sponsors is a Workplace Hero!
04/09/2014
The Northeast Chapter of the American Red Cross has given NxStage a 2014 Workplace Hero Award for being a good corporate citizen and supporting the communities of Northeast MA, where the company is sited, through community events to help the disadvantaged.
Joyce Jackson, CEO of Northwest Kidney Centers, Honored
03/07/2014
Seattle Business Magazine named Joyce Jackson an Outstanding Healthcare Executive of the Year, in recognition of her successful efforts to expand patient care, patient education, and research at the non-profit dialysis provider.
Rubin Dialysis Clinics Plan Acquisition by DCI
03/07/2014
The three upstate NY-based Hortense and Louis Rubin Dialysis Centers—the biggest users of NxStage equipment in the US—will be sold to non-profit Dialysis Clinics Incorporated, with the proceeds used to support a new Rubin non-profit organization in the region. The sale is subject to approval by the NY State Department of Health.
Somebody Had a Good Quarter!
03/07/2014
NxStage company revenues were up 7% in Q4 of 2013 over 2012, and annual revenue was up 9% in 2013 over 2012. In the home dialysis market, revenues rose by 12%—however, the net loss per share was $0.31 in 2013 vs. 0.26 in 2012.
Who won a National Health Information Award for Educating Kidney Patients?
02/06/2014
MEI did! That's us: Medical Education Institute—the non-profit group that brings you Home Dialysis Central, and Help, I Need Dialysis—our award-winning book. Please contact your library today and request it so they will get a copy!
University of Washington Integrates PD into Practice
01/08/2014
It's often easier to put patients on standard in-center HD. But, at the UW, there is a system in place to make PD an easy choice, too. Weekly PD clinics, a partnership with the Department of Surgery for special PD catheter placement training, and research make it happen.
We Know How to Track Dialysis Nutrition Info Online. Do You?
01/08/2014
AAKP's free online MyHealth tracking program has gotten even better. Now, it includes a weekly food and nutrition log so you can track sodium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, fat, carbs, and calories! Sign up for an account today!
Fellows: Learn about Home Dialysis
01/08/2014
Home Dialysis University, sponsored by the ISPD and Wake Forest University is offering 2.5 day workshops on PD and home HD starting January 26 (Costa Mesa, CA), February 16 (Dallas, TX), March 9 (Lake Buena Vista, FL), and May 4 (Rosemont, IL). Check out the agenda and sign up!
A DCI home program won a national award for quality. Do YOU go there?
12/10/2013
Each year, DCI bestows a national Darwin Peterson Award on the home dialysis clinic with the highest overall quality. Congratulations, DCI Ball Square, from Sommerville, MA!
A dialysis machine maker opened its first patient care clinic
11/06/2013
NxStage has opened a first-ever dialysis clinic in Des Peres, MO, under a new subsidiary called NxStage Kidney Care. The aim? To increase access to home therapies. The new clinic will offer flexible hours to better support patients and families. We hope they use our coverage maps to choose new sites! NxStage also launched a new patient education brochure.
What has busy Satellite Healthcare been up to?
11/06/2013
San Jose' based Satellite Healthcare is a non-profit dialysis provider that has been a huge supporter of home therapies (and Home Dialysis Central!). We are delighted to learn that they have opened another new clinic in the Bay area, in Rohnert Park. But, that's not all! They've also launched a new venture, Satellite Health Plan, which is a Medicare Advantage plan that will enroll dialysis patients.
What can the Fresenius Incident Command Team do for you?
11/06/2013
You can sleep better at night if you get dialysis through Fresenius. Last year's Hurricane Sandy was a successful test for their Incident Command Team (ICT), which plans for disasters. The ICT made sure 15,000 affected people got their life-saving treatments; answered hundreds of emergency hotline calls; kept 40 clinics running with generators; distributed gas, food, and water; and even supplied motor homes and supplies to employees who lost their homes in the storm.
Uh oh - if you have ascites and use a Baxter Home Choice for PD, read this alert
11/06/2013
A possible software problem can lead to low blood pressure and "hemodynamic compromise" in those with ascites who use a Baxter Home Choice PD cycler. The newest software version gets rid of the option to bypass the drain cycle to prevent overfilling errors—but some patients who are already dry may be at risk. The article specifies Hong Kong patients.
Nephrologists: How about an online daily HD dosing calculator!
10/02/2013
NxStage recently launched a new online tool to help make it easier for nephrologists to accurately prescribe more frequent home HD. You have to be a licensed doctor with a NxStage RX account to play with it, though. Go here to set one up: dosingcalculator.nxstage.com.
The launch of daily home HD in this country may surprise you
10/02/2013
NephroPlus Kidney Care Centres in India—the brainchild of Kamal Shah, who may be the only person in India doing nocturnal home HD—now offers daily home HD at all of its 15 clinics. Daily home HD is especially appealing to working patients, though since it is more gentle than standard HD, others benefit from it as well. In India, most dialysis is self-funded; each daily HD treatment costs 999 Rupees, or just under $16.
Our sponsor DCI did something amazing in 44 cities. Find out what it was!
10/02/2013
Thirty-five teams of non-profit DCI Project Purpose volunteers did free blood pressure and blood sugar screenings across the US for 2,100 people, and educated almost 4,000 people about chronic kidney disease. Oh, and they raised $14,000 for dialysis community programs, too. The chef from one local high school is so excited about the partnership with DCI that he wants to plan meals for special populations, with the help of a renal dietitian.
Which dialysis market leader wants to help patients keep their jobs?
10/02/2013
Keeping a job after kidney failure can boost quality of life and reduce depression and hospitalization. DaVita announced a comprehensive care package for Houston, TX patients that includes offering a full array of work-friendly home options, flexible in-center schedules including in-center nocturnal treatments, transplant education, and more. We'd sure love to see that in the rest of the US.
NxStage patients did WHAT?!
10/02/2013
On September 14, 2013, the 7th annual Tour DaVita 3-day, 220 mile (!!!) bike ride began through South Carolina. Three NxStage patients (and four NxStage managers) joined the ride to raise awareness of kidney disease and raise money for the non-profit Kidney Trust, which was started by DaVita.