The post Nephrology Nurses Week appeared first on DRG.

The post Nephrology Nurses Week appeared first on DRG.

The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) was honored to participate recently in the third annual Nephrology Business Leadership University 2018 in Dallas, TX, at the headquarters of U.S. Renal Care (USRC) and hosted by USRC, the Dallas Renal Group, and UC San Diego. The NBLU unique weeklong program for second year nephrology fellows allows them to drill down with a diverse faculty of practicing nephrologists from private practices and academia, hospital and dialysis executives, and other professionals who will share their insights on leadership, the business of nephrology, and the evolving healthcare landscape.

ASN specialists from the ASN Policy and Public Affairs Department engaged the nephrology fellows in a session on “Public Policy for the Next Generation Nephrologist” and throughout the week. ASN presenters were Zachary Kribs, Government Affairs Specialist, and David White, Policy and Advocacy Specialist. The “Public Policy” session focused on developments on both Capitol Hill and regulatory proposals by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Systems (CMS). In particular, fellows wanted to know how to become active, participate in congressional outreach, and to voice concerns regarding pending proposed revisions to the Evaluation and Management (E/M) codes. ASN is currently completing its comments on E/M coding now.

“The goal of NBLU is to provide a place for fellows from across the country to come together in an intimate setting to learn the economics of healthcare and acquire the skills to be strong leaders,” said Louise Jacobson, Senior Director Physician Relations at USRC, and one of the organizers of NBLU.

Jacobson described the approach of the program as “by utilizing unique, interactive teaching methods, industry leaders immerse the fellows in marketing, alternative roles in nephrology, value based care, policy and advocacy, billing & coding, social media, and much more. Fellows leave better prepared to find the right career path with the tools they need to get there.”

Source: https://www.kidneynews.org/policy-advocacy/leading-edge/asn-policy-joins-%E2%80%9Cnext-generation-nephrologists%E2%80%9D-nblu

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DUNCANVILLE, Texas — For a man without a background in the building trade, Alastair Howie is a fixture at DeFord’s Lumber Company in Duncanville.

“We all have issues at some point,” said Howie, a chaplain who was hired on here four years ago. “We don’t leave them at home. We bring them to work. So, we see everything from marital issues, financial issues, addictions, all kinds of different issues.”

The post Why companies are hiring chaplains and how one went above his calling appeared first on DRG.

Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs. They filter extra water and waste products from your blood and keep the levels of sodium, potassium, and phosphate stable. The kidneys also make hormones that regulate blood pressure, make red blood cells, and keep your bones strong.

When your kidneys are damaged, they can no longer filter your blood, and excess wastes can build up causing severe health problems. If you are over the age of 45 and have diabetes, high blood pressure, or both, then you are at greater risk of kidney disease.

3 things you can do to prevent CKD

• Quit smoking. Smoking can cause many health problems and is responsible for 1 out of every 5 deaths in the United States.
• Limit alcohol consumption or do not drink at all. More than 3-4 drinks per day is considered “heavy” drinking, and your kidneys have to work harder to function. If you decide to drink, limit it to no more than 1 to 2 drinks every now and then.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. High blood pressure and diabetes are the main causes of kidney disease. Eating healthy, managing stress, and staying active can prevent health issues. (INSERT LINK TO BLOG #1 – PAGE D1)

How to detect CKD

There are two tests that can check for kidney disease: a urine test and a blood test. The urine test checks the levels of protein and albumin in your urine. The blood test measures your glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is how well your kidneys are working to remove the wastes from your blood. Talk to your doctor about getting these tests during your next visit.

If you are age 60 or older, these tests should be a regular part of your checkups.

Dallas Renal Group also offers free screening events in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Fill out our form to be notified of upcoming events in your area.

https://www.kidney.org/prevention

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There are two types of dialysis, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Hemodialysis is a treatment for kidney failure that uses a machine to filter your blood outside your body. At the start of a hemodialysis treatment, a dialysis nurse places two needles into your arm. A pump on the hemodialysis machine draws your blood through one of the needles into a tube, a few ounces at a time. Your blood travels through the tube to the filter, called a dialyzer. Inside the dialyzer, your blood flows through thin fibers that filter out wastes, extra salt, and extra fluid. After the dialyzer filters your blood, a different tube carries your blood back to your body through the second needle. This is usually done 3 days per week for 4-5 hours at a time.

Many of our patients choose to have dialysis at home, which can be much more convenient and allow you more freedom. We recommend Liberty Home Dialysis an at-home dialysis company that will provide a nurse who will come to you and deliver treatment in the privacy and comfort of your own home, at a time that works for you. We recognize that it’s not convenient for everyone to come to a dialysis facility three times per week. Liberty Home Dialysis works to remove all barriers to receiving dialysis by bringing the treatment to you. Some of our patients choose to dialyze early in the morning before they start their day and head to work. Some opt to dialyze in the evening, while they spend time with family or watch TV.

We have several dialysis clinic locations around the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Each and every facility we partner with is state-of-the-art and staffed with caring, licensed renal nurses. You can work with a clinic that is most convenient for you to set up a schedule. Unlike at-home dialysis, you may be limited to the clinic’s operating hours.

Peritoneal dialysis is an alternative to hemodialysis that utilizes the membrane that lines the peritoneal cavity within your abdomen. With this method, you will have a catheter placed in your abdominal cavity which is used to fill your abdomen with dialysis solution. Once the dialysis solution fills your abdominal cavity, the membrane lining, called the peritoneum, allows wastes and excess fluid to pass from your blood into the dialysis solution. The wastes and excess fluid then leaves your body when the dialysis solution is drained.

There are two methods of peritoneal dialysis. One can be done manually, in a method called Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD). The other uses a machine while you sleep, called Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD). Both methods are done 7 days per week, and are performed by the patient following a several week training program. This peritoneal dialysis has comparable risks and benefits. Your kidney doctor will review the treatment options with you to determine the best solution.

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