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COVID-19 has been nothing short of challenging for global economics, quality of life and our nation. My utmost respect goes out to all essential personnel, including our healthcare professionals who are tackling this head on. Kidney patients, including transplant patients, are among the high-risk groups of people with chronic medical conditions who may experience more serious COVID-19 illness. Louisiana alone has nearly half a million people that are known to have kidney disease and over 16,000 on dialysis. It’s imperative that kidney patients continue with their regularly scheduled dialysis treatments despite the current pandemic and urge to stay home during this crisis. Dialysis centers locally and across the country are adjusting operations to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every patient, physician and staff member. All dialysis patients should closely follow the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proper guidance and up to date information on necessary steps to take.

Dr. Joseph Vassalotti, Chief Medical Officer of the National Kidney Foundation has sent a strong message to patients that missing dialysis can lead to serious adverse effects and increase the risk of hospitalization. “All kidney patients, including those with chronic kidney disease, those treated with home dialysis, and kidney transplant recipients should partner with their healthcare teams to postpone routine face-to-face medical and dental visits, substituting video or telemedicine visits whenever feasible,” said Dr. Vassalotti.

 Dialysis Treatment Options

Patients have many options when choosing a dialysis treatment: in-center hemodialysis, at-home peritoneal dialysis and at-home hemodialysis. In-center hemodialysis is performed in a kidney dialysis center, with the supervision and support of a dedicated care team. This choice may be right for you if you want a trained team of nurses and technicians to administer your treatment, you want the social interaction of going to a center or you want some separation between home and treatment. Both peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis allow patients to experience more freedom and flexibility, so they can stay their healthiest and feel their best. Home dialysis can provide many benefits including independence and control, reduced hospitalizations, fewer dietary restrictions and medications, and more frequent dialysis. Many patients may be candidates for home therapies – including those who are working, elderly, and live an active lifestyle. If you are a current dialysis patient, ask your doctor questions and learn more about which treatment option could be best for you.

Chronic Kidney Disease Facts

Did you know that 1 in 3 Americans are at risk for kidney disease because they have one of the following risk factors?

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Family history of kidney disease/failure
• Age 60 or older
• Member of a minority population
• A BMI of 30 or above

Thirty-three percent of American adults are at risk for kidney disease, but most of them don’t know it. Take a minute to answer a few simple questions and find out if you’re in the 33 percent. Just one minute might save your life. Go to www.minuteforyourkidneys.org to see if you are at risk for kidney disease. If you feel you are at risk, talk with your doctor about kidney disease and how to reduce your risk factors.

Michael Wright is a member of the Board of Directors with the National Kidney Foundation of Louisiana and the senior manager of Hospital & Patient Services with Fresenius Medical Care North America. He can be reached at michael.wright@fmc-na.com.