Eureka Times-Standard - Thompson visits dialysis center
January 24, 2012
By the Times-Standard
EUREKA -- U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson visited the Fresenius Medical Care Eureka Dialysis Center on Friday to learn about kidney disease and its progression to kidney failure, and to observe local residents receiving life-saving dialysis treatments.
According to the U.S. Renal Data System's 2011 annual report, California has the third highest number of people with kidney failure per capita in the country. In 2009 alone there were 14,030 new cases in the state, a 15 percent increase since 2004.
Chronic kidney disease is more common than most Americans realize -- one in nine adults has the disease, but many don't know it and aren't taking steps to protect their damaged kidneys from getting worse. According to the National Kidney Foundation, 31 million people have CKD and another 20 million are at increased risk of getting kidney disease because they have diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity or a family history of kidney disease.
”This was a great opportunity to have Congressman Thompson visit,” said Clinical Manager Deborah Mattson. “He has been a strong advocate for quality kidney care and was interested to learn about our patient's transportation issues. He was also interested to learn how simple, inexpensive urine and blood tests can help detect kidney disease and encourage CKD prevention while reducing costs to our health care system.”
African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and seniors over 65 are at increased risk
for chronic kidney disease. As the disease progresses it leads to kidney failure or end-stage renal disease which requires a kidney transplant or kidney dialysis to stay alive.
Nearly 400,000 Americans were receiving regular dialysis care at the end of 2009, according to the U.S. Renal Data System, and health experts expect the number to double over the next 10 years.
Fresenius Medical Care North America is the largest dialysis provider in the U.S., serving nearly 130,000 patients in over 1,800 facilities. In California, Fresenius Medical Care has 84 clinics, 3,141 employees and more than 7,464 patients.
According to the U.S. Renal Data System's 2011 annual report, California has the third highest number of people with kidney failure per capita in the country. In 2009 alone there were 14,030 new cases in the state, a 15 percent increase since 2004.
Chronic kidney disease is more common than most Americans realize -- one in nine adults has the disease, but many don't know it and aren't taking steps to protect their damaged kidneys from getting worse. According to the National Kidney Foundation, 31 million people have CKD and another 20 million are at increased risk of getting kidney disease because they have diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity or a family history of kidney disease.
”This was a great opportunity to have Congressman Thompson visit,” said Clinical Manager Deborah Mattson. “He has been a strong advocate for quality kidney care and was interested to learn about our patient's transportation issues. He was also interested to learn how simple, inexpensive urine and blood tests can help detect kidney disease and encourage CKD prevention while reducing costs to our health care system.”
African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and seniors over 65 are at increased risk
for chronic kidney disease. As the disease progresses it leads to kidney failure or end-stage renal disease which requires a kidney transplant or kidney dialysis to stay alive.
Nearly 400,000 Americans were receiving regular dialysis care at the end of 2009, according to the U.S. Renal Data System, and health experts expect the number to double over the next 10 years.
Fresenius Medical Care North America is the largest dialysis provider in the U.S., serving nearly 130,000 patients in over 1,800 facilities. In California, Fresenius Medical Care has 84 clinics, 3,141 employees and more than 7,464 patients.
Issues:Health Care