New dialysis center in BG now accepting new patients

On July 17, North Clark County area residents were given the opportunity to learn about dialysis treatment and tour the new Fresenius Medical Care dialysis center in Battle Ground during an Open House at the facility.

Located at 3921 SW 13th Ave., in Battle Ground, the center officially received its first patient on June 20 and has been only accepting patients from its two other Clark County area clinics – one in Cascade Park and one in Salmon Creek. However, beginning July 21, the center opened its doors to accept new patients.

“There’s more than 26 million Americans that have chronic kidney disease,” said Sadie Funk, clinical manager. “There’s even more (who) are risk. The two clinics in this area were running at capacity.”

Funk said the two dialysis centers in Salmon Creek and Cascade Park were serving so many patients they actually had to open a fourth shift at one point to accommodate patients. This meant that some patients and staff who participated in that fourth shift were at the center until 4 a.m. when the shift ended. The new Battle Ground center helps to alleviate that problem.

Fresenius Medical Care in Battle Ground has 24 dialysis stations. Funk said they are currently open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for a morning and mid-morning shift. Capacity at the facility is roughly 144 patients, and Funk said it will probably take about six months to a year to reach that capacity.

Funk said they currently have 14 employees at the Battle Ground center. She said a typical  dialysis shift consists of the patient coming, weighing themselves, washing, sitting in their chair and then having all of their pre-vital signs taken. Patients are then assessed by a nurse and as long as everything checks out OK, they start dialysis.

Most patients are at the facility for their treatment for three to five hours, depending on their prescription. When the treatment is over, Funk said they get all of the same assessments as they did in the beginning and then get to go home.

Dr. Sudha Pidikiti, who is a kidney specialist with the Vancouver Clinic, is also the medical director for the Battle Ground Fresenius Medical Care center.

Another dialysis provider, DaVita Healthcare Partners, also plans to open a new dialysis facility in Battle Ground in December 2015.

As patient numbers increase at the Fresenius center, Funk said they will add shifts on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and may consider adding an evening shift if needed.

Funk said the decision to open a dialysis center in Battle Ground stemmed from the growing need for dialysis stations in the area.

“Vancouver is kind of in the southern part of Clark County and there are two clinics there already,” Funk said. “A lot of our patients come from the north part of the county, and this new facility gives them less of a drive and also helps patients who have to come at night.”

For more information about the Fresenius Medical Care dialysis center, visit www.ultracare-dialysis.com or call the clinic at (360) 687-8527. The website is available in both English and Spanish.

Fresenius Medical Care North America – Frequently Asked Questions

What is dialysis?

Dialysis is a life-sustaining process that cleans waste products from the blood and removes extra fluids when a person’s kidneys fail. Dialysis patients typically require treatment on an ongoing basis unless they receive a kidney transplant.

How often is treatment needed?

Typically, in-center hemodialysis is conducted during the day, three times a week for three to five hours per session.

Who requires dialysis?

Those whose kidneys have failed, a condition also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), require dialysis or a kidney transplant to live.

What is chronic kidney disease (CKD)?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive, usually permanent, loss of kidney function that can take place over a period of months or years.

What is end-stage renal disease (ESRD)?

According to the National Kidney Foundation’s Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiatives (NKF KDOQI), there are five stages of CKD. Stage 1 is the mildest form, with the least loss of kidney function. Stage 5 is at or near kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Those reaching this stage need dialysis or a kidney transplant to live.

How are kidney function and disease stage measured?

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best test to measure patients’ kidney function and determine their stage of kidney disease. Doctors can calculate patients’ GFR levels from their blood creatinine test results, age, race, gender and other factors. The earlier kidney disease is detected, the better the chance of slowing or stopping its progression.

What causes kidney failure?

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two main causes of CKD. Other causes include glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the kidneys’ blood-filtering nephron tubes; inherited diseases such as polycystic kidney disease and some birth defects, lupus, malformed kidneys, immune diseases, kidney stones and repeated urinary tract infections. All these conditions damage the kidneys’ nephrons so they cannot do their job as filters. This leads to a buildup of wastes and extra fluid in the blood, which makes people sick. The kidneys also lose their ability to produce hormones that assist in making red blood cells, controlling blood pressure and maintaining healthy bones.

What risk factors increase the likelihood of kidney disease?

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure

• Diabetes

• A family history of CKD

• Aging

• Premature birth

• Being African, Hispanic, Asian, or American Indian

• Smoking

• Blockages in your kidneys or ureters – these can be treated by family doctors

• Overuse of over-the-counter pain relievers containing aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen. Patients should talk to their doctors if they take pain relievers every day, or even a few times per week

• Taking street drugs

• Taking prescription drugs that patients are allergic to. Patients are advised to know about their drug allergies and promptly tell their doctors about any symptoms they have after starting a new drug.

What are the symptoms of CKD?

People experiencing any of the symptoms below should talk to a doctor to find out if they are at risk for CKD. Symptoms should only be interpreted in consultation with a medical professional.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Anemia

• High blood pressure

• Bone disease

• Muscle cramps

• Itching

• Blood and/or protein in the urine

• More frequent urination, particularly at night; difficult or painful urination

• Puffiness around eyes, swollen hands and feet

What percentage of dialysis patients receive a kidney transplant?

Approximately 21 percent; more than 90,000 patients in the U.S. are on the waiting list for kidney transplants, but each year only about 18,000 receive new kidneys.