Shannon Johnshoy, patient care technician with the CentraCare Kidney Program, with Ken and Pauline Novak
Living in a rural area like Aitkin County, those who need to go on kidney dialysis face a significant challenge. The nearest medical center that offers dialysis treatments is located in Brainerd, which could mean a 60-mile or more round-trip drive three days a week. This is a huge obstacle for those of limited financial means or in ill health and unable to drive.
In response to community and patient input, Riverwood Healthcare Center and CentraCare Kidney Program, based in St. Cloud, Minn., met and discussed options to relieve this burden for kidney dialysis patients. Earlier this year, CentraCare developed and launched a staff-assisted hemodialysis program, which is now piloting with an Aitkin-area man.
For the past five months, Ken and his wife, Pauline, have participated in a pilot of home dialysis through the CentraCare Kidney Program based in St. Cloud, Minn. Previously, for about a one-year period, the Novaks had to travel 56 miles round-trip to Brainerd for dialysis treatments three days a week.
In mid-July, a CentraCare patient care technician began coming to their home six days a week to administer dialysis to Ken, whose nickname is Butch. Each treatment lasts about two and one half hours—formally a three and a half hour process at a local medical center.
“My dizziness has disappeared and I’m feeling much better now,” Ken Novak says. “The techs have been absolutely wonderful!”
When Ken began dialysis in 2013, his kidneys were failing with only 14 percent use. The toxins in his body had caused drastic loss of appetite and weight loss of 45 pounds. Since the home dialysis started, he has gained 10 pounds back. With significant health improvements for Ken, in mid-December his home dialysis therapy began transitioning to five days a week instead of six.
“The home dialysis has been a lifesaver for us,” Pauline Novak adds. “Butch doesn’t drive any more so it was a lot of driving for me. Now I only need to drive him to see his nephrologist and care team in St. Cloud once a month. Butch’s physical and mental health has improved dramatically now that the toxins are being removed from his body more frequently. We hope that this outstanding service continues and helps others as well. ”
CentraCare Kidney Program, the largest provider of kidney care in Central Minnesota, is now providing home dialysis therapies to about 60 patients within a 100-mile radius of St. Cloud and is ready to take on new patients in the Aitkin area, according to Dave Walz, RN and program director for the CentraCare Kidney Program. Jodi Friedrichs, the core charge nurse for the Home Therapies unit, and her staff are responsible for patient and staff training, as well as monthly clinic visits, follow-up and troubleshooting.
“The patient outcomes of home dialysis have proven to be very favorable with limited travel for patient and improved health and quality of life,” Walz explains. “After an initial home/patient assessment, one of our Home Therapies registered nurses determines if the patient qualifies for this service. A key criteria is that there must be a caregiver who can offer support to the dialysis patient.”
The caregiver could be a spouse, other family member, friend or neighbor. He or she need not live in the home with the dialysis patient. CentraCare offers training for the patient and the caregiver in St. Cloud. A patient care tech visits the home 5 to 6 times a week to administer the dialysis, as determined by the patient’s nephrology physician.
During the initial home visits, the technician reinforces with the patient and his or her caregiver how to administer the dialysis. Ideally, patients and caregivers start to administer their own treatments after one month. However, the tech may stay with the patient longer to make sure everyone is comfortable.
“The CentraCare Kidney Program is a wonderful resource for patients experiencing kidney failure and we are pleased to help get this information out to the communities we serve,” says Dr. Mark Heggem, chief medical officer at Riverwood Healthcare Center. “Eliminating the travel to Brainerd or another location for dialysis treatments is a huge benefit, one which is likely to help some Riverwood patients in the years ahead.”
Those patients interested in being evaluated for dialysis home therapies may call CentraCare at (855) 361-5740, press 3. For someone not on dialysis and in need of a nephrologist, call the Nephrology department appointments line at (320) 240-2206.