Corydon, Iowa, May 14, 2012: The Wayne County Hospital Susie B. Tuttle Dialysis Unit was the fortunate recipient of an $11,000.00 grant from the Wayne County Foundation for partial funding of six new dialysis machines at a total cost of $91,800. The remaining amount was funded by Wayne County Hospital. The new machines replaced existing equipment which had exceeded its life expectancy and scheduled to be retired effective December 2012.
In addition to the actual dialysis process, the new machines provide advancements in detecting the adequacy of the patients’ dialysis access through an updated surveillance function.
This enables providers to detect potential medical complications before the issue becomes more serious requiring extra medical intervention. These units also have the capabilities of several new functions including: help accommodate the patients’ comfort level with programming fluid removal; provide a constant monitoring system of the patients’ blood oxygen level; help to provide further lab testing with the ease of a touch screen rather than invasive procedures that potentially interrupt the dialysis treatment; and provide access to various blood laboratories without having to provide an additional lab draw on the patient. These factors help to create extra safety precautions as well as significantly increase the quality of treatment and comfort level of the patients.
Dialysis provides treatment for individuals with end stage renal disease resulting from the loss of approximately 85-90% of their kidney function. When kidney function is impaired toxins and excess fluid retention occur in the body. This chronic kidney disease is most commonly a result of diabetes or hypertension.
During the hemodialysis treatment, the patient’s blood is processed through the dialysis machine to remove toxins and reduce the fluid build-up. Each treatment lasts 3-4 hours. While undergoing dialysis patients are carefully monitored by our experienced and skilled dialysis team including a nephrologist, dialysis nurses and technicians, social worker and dietitian. Working closely with the patient and the family, the dialysis team determines the best individual treatment plan for each patient.
The hospital-based Susie B. Tuttle Dialysis Unit opened in April 2000. The unit serves as an essential source of access to care for numerous dialysis patients not only in Wayne County but as many as six of the surrounding counties including Northern Missouri. The Susie B. Tuttle Dialysis Unit has five treatment stations and currently serves approximately 20 patients a week up to three times weekly. The unit has expanded service hours to six-days a week, Monday – Saturday. The Susie B. Tuttle Dialysis Unit is an active participant in the 5-Diamond Patient Safety Program, through Heartland Kidney Network.
The goal of Wayne County Hospital and the Susie B. Tuttle Dialysis Unit is to continue to provide access to dialysis care for Wayne County and the surrounding rural communities. “We are here to provide comprehensive care to patients diagnosed with renal failure and ensure an improved quality of life through the services we provide,” commented Maggie Lindsey, RN Dialysis Director. For more information please contact the Wayne County Hospital Susie B. Tuttle Dialysis Unit at 641-872-5325.