A bill in the California State Senate proposes minimum staffing ratios in dialysis clinics, and providers say it would restrict flexibility and limit treatment shifts Click on source to read the whole story, Source: Dialysis providers, union take sides in California over staffing ratios – Nephrology News & Issues ..read more

Involuntary discharge from dialysis — a life-sustaining treatment — is a uniquely American phenomenon. Source: Involuntary discharge from dialysis: A health care practice like no other ..read more

Readers of the New England Journal of Medicine should be forewarned:  The information in the pages of the NEJM is tainted by industry influence, its professional and scientific integrity are t… Source: NEJM- Caught Covering Up for National Kidney Foundation–an indudstry front group | AHRP ..read more

With the end of the year fast approaching there has been an alarming increase in the number of patients terminated from dialysis care. One has to wonder if these terminations are tied to the implementation of the Star Program by CMS as a way to grade care centers on results of patient care along with clinic reviews. Payments to the Dialysis providers for patient care are tied to this star program….more stars…..more money. It appears that clinics are using questionable tactics to rid them of patient’s that lower their Star rating. Patients who question or report the level of care at a ..read more

Should Dialysis Workers Be Banned From Having Patients as Friends on facebook? Health care workers at a Dialysis Center were told to remove dialysis patients from their friend’s list on facebook. It appears the center wants to hamper Dialysis Patients and care givers from forming relationship where they might discuss common concerns. After the large non-profit corporations took over, the patient to dialysis technicians ratios were increased to levels that no longer afforded time for technicians to form a bond with their patients. Those bonds helped patie ..read more

Chili Most is a respected musician and creator of socially conscious music. His music will be featured in an upcoming movie “Stop The Violence/N Love With Love” He is one of the leaders of the Stop The Violence movement and an ordained minister. He is the host of the radio show “The Chili Most Show” weekdays and the host of a Sunday show on WVFG 107.5 FM in Union Town, Alabama. He is author of “The Queen Mother of Watts” the story of Dr. Sweet Alice Harris who has been an invited advisor and guest at The White House by several President’s. Chili’s music is av ..read more

Cassia Hill is a CCHT certified dialysis technician, entrepreneur, and author of 2 bestselling books in nephrology, and self-help. She is currently studying to gain a degree in Criminal Justice. Her books “Expert Tips On Becoming a Dialysis Technician” and “The Wisdom Secret Diary of a Dialysis Technician” give inspiration and advice to dialysis caregivers. Cassia has her own blog http://dialysistechniciansworldwide.blogspot.com/ where dialysis technicians can go for support and answers ..read more

Lisa Baxter is a Dialysis Patient and author of “Through the Eyes of a Dialysis Patient” a book on her experiences as a patient. She is President and founder of Blessed Kidneys Connection which she founded in 2010. Lisa has her own Youtube channel dealing with Dialysis issues. She graduated with a Associates Degree from Empire State College. She works in the Social Service Field and loves to work with people. She is an advocate for anyone needing help. In 1995 she was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease and went on dialysis in 2004. Lisa decided to become an advocate for pa ..read more

Marie A. DeFrancesco-Loukas, is a RN, MSN, CRNP, CRNA Marie joins our Board with over 22 years of experience as a healthcare professional.  She began her career in Pediatrics and took care of children with renal disease at Mt. Sinai in New York. Her duties included caring for inpatient dialysis patients.  At Columbia-Presbyterian Marie worked in the Pediatric ICU and cared for critically-ill children in acute and chronic Renal Failure and was a Prisma (CVVHD) instructor; which is a continuous form of dialysis.  She holds a Bachelor of Science from Wagner College, Master of ..read more

Dr. Robert Bear has a long history in Health Care Management in Canada and the U.S. Practiced Medicine (Nephrology) and was a Professor of Medicine at two Canadian Academic Health Science Centers, University of Toronto & University of Alberta (Edmonton). Held a number of senior positions in both academic and health care administration in each Centre. Established successful health care consulting company (Fresnel Management Ltd), that for over 14 years has engaged in health care management consulting projects independently or with other companies in most Canadian provinces. Author of “Sorr ..read more