Kidney Care Community News

The goal of kidney replacement therapy must be helping patients to “live their lives as if they were free from disease to the extent possible,” according to a speaker at the virtual Innovations in Dialysis: Expediting Advances Symposium.

While surveys show most nurses in nephrology are happy with their jobs, workforce issues and an aging staff are a concern, a panel noted at the American Nephrology Nurses Association National Symposium, which was held as a virtual meeting.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the chance of infection in patients on in-center dialysis, mandating that nephrology nurses be more diligent about following protocols to reduce the risk, a speaker said.

Nurses must overcome oppression – some self-imposed – to gain empowerment in their profession, a speaker said at the American Nephrology Nurses Association National Symposium, which was held as a virtual conference.

The American Society of Nephrology has partnered with the National Kidney Foundation to examine how the inclusion of race in eGFR estimations may influence kidney disease diagnoses.

A study of dialysis facilities across the Unites States showed centers that treated a larger proportion of Black and Hispanic patients had lower rates of seasonal influenza vaccination than centers that had more white patients.

Through its clinical research subsidiary, DaVita Inc. has begun enrolling participants for two trials designed to investigate the ways in which COVID-19 impacts patients with end-stage kidney disease who are currently receiving dialysis.

In collaboration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the National Kidney Foundation has released the 2020 Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative Clinical Practice Guideline for Nutrition in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Fresenius Medical Care reported “strong” earnings in the second quarter of 2020 despite the impact of COVID-19 on operations and disruptions in patient care.

Through its non-profit foundation, Fresenius Medical Care Foundation aims to improve organ donation processes by providing a grant of $106,000 to the United Network for Organ Sharing.