We believe it is our dedication to improving the quality of life of our patients by educating our patients about their chronic renal disease and how to take the best possible care of themselves Here are some of the ways we attempt to do this:
- Dedicating a nurse to review and teach each module of the Kidney School from the NKF to every patient or their family member. In addition, each month we address a special subject that every patient receives education about that month by their primary care provider.
- Producing a monthly newsletter that is filled with educational information and being sure it is available to all patients.
- Offering free classes once a month for potential patients, patients, and patients families that want to learn more about chronic renal disease. In these classes we review what causes kidney failure, dietary needs, insurance availability, and options as to different types of treatment. These classes are taught by a nurse practitioner, a registered dietitian, a social worker, and a nurse familiar with each type of treatment for End Stage Renal Disease.
- We have a Nurse Educator who has many years of dialysis experience. We do this to ensure that our nurses are well trained in their field.
- We provide a Primary Nursing model that ensures the nurse is familiar with the patient and that patient’s particular problems each treatment. This model also provides a primary dialysis technician that is assigned to each patient.
- We employ a Nurse Practitioner who works every Saturday to thoroughly review every patient’s lab and medications. Most dialysis units leave this to a protocol approved by a physician. Then different nurses in the units adjust those medications by protocol when lab results are obtained. In order to be sure there is continuity of care and prevent errors, we employ a Nurse Practitioner to do this under the direction of the physicians. By having one person dedicated to this job, we feel we prevent errors and improve response time to any needed changes.
- We offer the latest in home hemodialysis equipment. The new NxStage home dialysis machine allows patients to dialyze at home. This machine is portable and does not require an additional water purification machine. There are many studies that show that patients who are able to utilize this therapy have a much improved quality of life. We also offer home peritoneal dialysis for those patients who choose that therapy.
- Working with patients who have chosen in-center dialysis to make their time enjoyable.
- We play Bingo on every shift once a week.
- We play a “Movie of the Week” on a designated channel on the television that is at each individual station.
- We provide a “Big Screen” TV in the lobby for for patients and family members while they are waiting.
- We provide monthly parties in the lobby that are centered around educational themes.
- We do crafts with our patients for the holidays.
- A phone is available for patient to contact family members
...And folks say we are one of the cleanest units they have ever experienced. We strive to make the environment for patients feel good. Our unit is a “must see inside” to appreciate the pleasant atmosphere.
And Why Are We Different?
We’re not owned by a big chain that has a main focus of meeting the stock market analysis predictions. Mid-America Dialysis is privately owned by Jim Long who wanted a dialysis clinic that is special and where the staff and patients feel they are special. The Executive Director of the unit is Virginia Long who has managed multiple dialysis units in the past. She managed the University Division of Renal Care Group which built some of the most innovative and best units in the U.S. One of those projects included all the Cleveland Clinic outpatient units. In fact, Jim Long, who is a licensed contractor, designed and built most the units where he was Director of Development for the Renal Care Group. Because there is no long chain of command, we are able to quickly address any issues and keep a close eye on the dialysis clinic.
If You Would Like to Know More
If you would like to know more about our dialysis clinic or about our free educational programs for patients and patient families, please contact our Social Worker, Brenda Knox, MSW, LISW, at (614) 367-1679 or email her at Brenda.Knox@midamemail.com or contact via mail at 2355 So. Hamilton Rd., Columbus, OH 43232. |
