Nephrology News & Issues: Renal News

Renal News

DaVita NephroLife opens kidney care centre in Chennai, India Feb. 21 DaVita NephroLife, a partnership between dialysis provider DaVita Inc. and NephroLife Care of India has opened a new kidney care centre in Kilpauk, Chennai.
Home Dialyzors United responds to proposed Network Scope of Work Feb. 21 In a letter to Acting CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner, president Richard Berkowitz said the proposal has merit--as long as patient input is taken seriously.
Fresenius 4Q 2011 income grows Feb. 21 Dialysis provider Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA reported net revenue for the fourth quarter of 2011 increased 5% to $3,323 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.
DaVita has wider health care ambitions; patients wary Feb. 21 Dialysis provider DaVita Inc. has plans to manage all of its kidney patients' health needs and push into primary care for the general public, which is worrying patient advocates, the Denver Post reports.
World's longest kidney transplant chain concludes in Chicago Feb. 20 A Loyola University Medical Center patient has become the final link in the world's longest living-donor kidney transplant chain.
Physician reminders don't improve care for kidney disease patients Feb. 17 Laboratory-based treatment reminders meant to improve physicians' prescribing habits for patients with chronic kidney disease may not be effective, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Patient education classes may reduce kidney transplant disparities Feb. 17 According to a new study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, kidney failure patients who take part in an education program are more likely to get evaluated for a kidney transplant. The findings indicate that requiring a formal patient education class may help reduce inequities in kidney failure patients' access to kidney transplantation.
DaVita 4Q 2011 income grows Feb. 17 DaVita Inc. reported fourth-quarter income of $149.4 million, or $1.58 a share, up from $69.02 million, or 70 cents a share, in the same period a year earlier.
Amgen names new senior vice president of global development and corporate chief medical officer Feb. 16 Amgen has named Michael Severino, MD, senior vice president, global development and corporate chief medical officer, effective immediately, the company announced.
Vitamin D therapy does not improve certain cardiac measures for patients with chronic kidney disease Feb. 15 Patients with chronic kidney disease who received the vitamin D compound paricalcitol for up to 48 weeks did not show improvement on measures of cardiac structure, function, or left ventricular mass, compared to patients who received placebo, according to a study in the Feb. 15 issue of JAMA.
Canada organ donor rates stagnate Feb. 15
Forum of ESRD Networks warns CROWNWeb not ready for March start date Feb. 15 The Forum of ESRD Networks said that it has “urgent concerns” about CROWNWeb and does not believe the system is ready for its March 2 deployment date.
Warren Buffet’s holding company Berkshire Hathaway buys stake in DaVita Feb. 15 Berkshire Hathaway has bought 2.68 million shares of DaVita as of Dec. 31, 2011.
American Vascular Access opens St. Louis center Feb. 14 The company hired Karen Strong as facility director for Gateway Vascular Access, LLC.
DaVita Clinical Research expands in Denver Feb. 14 DaVita Clinical Research, a provider of clinical research services focused on kidney research, announced an agreement to enter the St. Anthony Hospital campus in Lakewood, Colo.
Leading HIV medication linked with risk of kidney damage Feb. 14 Tenofovir, one of the most effective and commonly prescribed antiretroviral medications for HIV/AIDS, is associated with a significant risk of kidney damage and chronic kidney disease that increases over time, according to a study of more than 10,000 patients led by researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center and the University of California, San Francisco.
Fresenius, Aetna begin CKD management program Feb. 13 Fresenius Medical Care and Aetna said they would be launching a program that aims to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease in its members, and provide an easier transition to dialysis or pre-transplant care. The companies said they expect the program to reduce costs and improve dialysis outcomes.
CMS sets Feb. 17 deadline for network contract comments Feb. 13 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a proposed scope of work for the ESRD Networks on Feb. 3 covering 2012-2013. The renal community had until Feb. 17 to submit comments on the plan.
Vital Access’ implantable hemodialysis access device approved in Europe Feb. 10 Vital Access Corporation today announced that its Venous Window Needle Guide has been granted CE Mark clearance for use in Europe to provide vascular access for hemodialysis treatment.
Fresenius Medical Care recalls some of its Optiflux F250NRe Hemodialyzers Feb. 10 Fresenius Medical Care has recalled some of its Optiflux F250NRe Hemodialyzers because they have an increased risk for internal blood leaks.