99 PERCENT OF FRESENIUS KIDNEY CARE FACILITIES ACHIEVE 5-DIAMOND PATIENT SAFETY STATUS IN 2017
WALTHAM, Mass. Jan. 25, 2018 – Fresenius Kidney Care, the dialysis division of Fresenius Medical Care North America and the nation’s leading network of dialysis facilities, demonstrates its commitment to patient safety by announcing its exemplary results from the 2017 5-Diamond Patient Safety Program. The program involves nine end stage renal disease (ESRD) networks in the U.S. and aims to assist dialysis facilities in improving the patient experience by building a culture of patient safety.
In its second year in the program, Fresenius Kidney Care maintained its 5-Diamond status at 99 percent of its participating facilities, while increasing enrollment from 2,385 clinics in 2016 to 2,417 in 2017. The 5-Diamond Patient Safety Program consists of 18 patient-safety education modules. Each dialysis facility must complete five modules the first year participating in the program – and three modules each consecutive year – to be recognized, and maintain status as a 5-Diamond Patient Safety Facility.
“As a leading dialysis provider, Fresenius Kidney Care is dedicated to ensuring the safety of our patients and employees,” said Ron Rodgers, Executive Vice President, Fresenius Medical Care North America and President, Fresenius Kidney Care. “This second-year achievement demonstrates our unwavering commitment to our culture of patient safety in each and every clinic.”
The Inpatient Services unit at Fresenius Kidney Care, which provides acute-care management for those living with ESRD, demonstrated the greatest improvement year-over-year, with a 32 percent increase in the number of programs achieving 5-Diamond status in 2017.
Fresenius Kidney Care’s results outpaced dialysis providers nationwide with 99 percent of its facilities achieving 5-Diamond status compared to the 64 percent of all other participating providers that achieved this status. Nearly 45 percent of all dialysis providers participated in the 5-Diamond Patient Safety Program, with Fresenius Kidney Care facilities comprising 78 percent of participating clinics across the U.S.
“Employee education is an integral part of our focus on providing the highest quality of care to patients,” said Rodgers. “We pride ourselves on employing people who continue to learn with each advancement in our field and demonstrate their commitment to exceeding safety expectations.”
Fresenius Kidney Care will continue to participate in the 5-Diamond Safety Program as part of its commitment to delivering an exceptional patient experience.
About Fresenius Kidney Care
Fresenius Kidney Care, a division of Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA), provides dialysis treatment and services to more than 180,000 people with kidney disease at more than 2,400 facilities nationwide. Fresenius Kidney Care supports people by helping to address both the physical and emotional aspects of kidney disease through personalized care, education and lifestyle support services so they can lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Fresenius Kidney Care patients have access to FMCNA’s integrated network of kidney care services ranging from cardiology and vascular care to pharmacy and lab services as well as urgent care centers and the country’s largest practice of hospitalist and post-acute providers.
As a leader in renal care technology, innovation and clinical research, FMCNA’s more than 67,000 employees are dedicated to the mission of delivering superior care that improves the quality of life for people with kidney disease. For more information about Fresenius Kidney Care, visit www.freseniuskidneycare.com, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/FreseniusKidneyCare and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FreseniusKC.
About Fresenius Medical Care North America
Fresenius Medical Care North America is the premier health care company focused on providing the highest quality care to people with renal and other chronic conditions. Through its industry-leading network of dialysis facilities, outpatient cardiac and vascular labs, and urgent care centers, as well as the country’s largest practice of hospitalist and post-acute providers, Fresenius Medical Care North America provides coordinated health care services at pivotal care points for hundreds of thousands of chronically ill customers throughout the continent. As the world’s largest fully integrated renal company, it offers specialty pharmacy and laboratory services, and manufactures and distributes the most comprehensive line of dialysis equipment, disposable products and renal pharmaceuticals. For more information, visit the FMCNA website at https://www.fmcna.com.
