Kidney disease is increasing throughout the United States, and in Alamance County 250 people require dialysis to treat failing kidney function. Recently, Alamance Regional Medical Center began offering inpatient dialysis service in order to help these patients receive any needed inpatient hospital care closer to home. Previously, area residents who needed dialysis during inpatient hospitalizations had to travel to medical facilities outside of Alamance County. The new service also allows Alamance Regional to treat patients with compromised renal function who are at risk of needing dialysis while hospitalized.
Two nephrologists, physicians who are kidney specialists, have joined the Alamance Regional medical staff to oversee the patients undergoing dialysis care at the hospital. These physicians also offer follow-up care at local outpatient dialysis centers. Portable dialysis equipment allows patients to receive dialysis at the bedside. In the near future, a room with stationary dialysis equipment will also be available. The equipment and specially
trained dialysis nurses are available through a partnership with DaVita, Inc., a company that operates a local outpatient dialysis center.
"Alamance Regional continually looks for opportunities to improve the health of our community, and this new service is one example of our commitment to that mission," says Preston Hammock, Vice President, Alamance Regional. "The addition of dialysis was driven by our desire to offer convenient, high-quality care to more patients."
