Germany-based kidney dialysis company Fresenius Medical Care has partnered with Sarah Bush Lincoln, a regional health system in Mattoon, Illinois, US.
The partners aim to provide an on-site dialysis programme using the NxStage VersiHD home haemodialysis system.
This is intended to allow local patients, who had previously had to travel long distances for care, to receive dialysis treatment at their community hospital.
According to the NxStage website, the NxStage VersiHD home haemodialysis system allows patients to undergo dialysis anywhere due to its portability and the availability of pre-mixed bags.
The system is designed to be emergency-ready, allowing patients to carry out dialysis even in situations where electricity or a water source is not accessible using a generator and disposable pre-mixed bags.
After implementing NxStage VersiHD, Sarah Bush Lincoln reported a substantial increase in dialysis volumes.
Sarah Bush Lincoln dialysis programme medical director Dr Timothy Pflederer said: “Rural communities across the country struggle with providing access to high-quality health care, especially when more complex procedures like dialysis are needed.
“Utilising the smaller, simpler NxStage system makes it possible to provide dialysis to hospitalised patients in their own community, closer to their home and loved ones.
“This is an added benefit of the NxStage VersiHD in rural hospitals as patients who choose home dialysis have better outcomes than those who require dialysis in an outpatient facility.”
Fresenius Medical Care executive vice-president and global head of home therapies Joseph Turk said: "It is incredible to see the immediate impact Sarah Bush Lincoln and the local community are experiencing since launching an on-site dialysis programme.
"Now the patients can receive treatments, work on their rehabilitation and have family visits all in one location.
"We always strive to make a positive impact on patients' lives. It is very rewarding to see how our system helps dialysis providers and hospitals improve efficiency and patient experience."
