Fresenius expands network of transitional care units for patients who require dialysis
Fresenius Kidney Care announced it will open more than 100 new transitional dialysis care units throughout the year, an endeavor the company said it hopes will enhance patient understanding of treatment options and management strategies.
According to a press release from Fresenius, transitional care units (TCUs) are designed to provide personalized education to patients with kidney failure, whether those patients are new to dialysis, transitioning between in-center and home dialysis or returning to dialysis after transplantation. Fresenius has 65 of these units, which are separate spaces within a dialysis facility, already in operation.
“TCUs provide an incredible resource to help ensure that our patients have a smooth start to their dialysis treatment while aiming to reduce the risk of treatment gaps and hospitalization,” Joe Turk, president of home and critical care therapies at Fresenius Medical Care North America, said in the release.
The release further noted that TCUs are essential in order to meet the Advancing American Kidney Health initiative goal of having 80% of newly diagnosed patients with kidney failure receive a transplant or be on home dialysis by 2025, with the company finding that more than 50% of patients who completed education in a TCU will choose home dialysis as their preferred modality (vs. 15% on average).
“TCUs help empower patients to make informed decisions about their therapy, while increasing the likelihood that they will take advantage of the many benefits that come with receiving their treatment at home,” Turk added.
Of the benefits of these units, Jeffrey Hymes, MD, chief medical officer for the company, said, “Patients in a TCU are able to receive one-on-one education and support on home dialysis in a low-risk environment so they can gain experience and confidence before dialyzing at home.”
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