RNA news
October 1, 2011 - National Kidney Foundation of Illinois offers FREE screenings for the Rockford Community. Get screened, know your numbers! |
View Flyer Kidney Disease By The Numbers |
(Rockford, IL.) – While most Americans can recite their cholesterol numbers and know their personal risk for heart disease, few have any idea if their kidneys are performing their job properly. Yet there is actually a test that measures kidney function, and since kidney disease can be silent without any symptoms, it's important to know the kidney function number. Rockford Nephrology Associates and the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI) urges residents to get their kidneys checked.
Healthy kidneys that work at 100% capacity regulate blood pressure, filter wastes and toxins from the blood and help maintain strong bones. More than 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease and most don’t know it. The leading causes of kidney disease are untreated and/or undiagnosed diabetes and high blood pressure, representing more than 70% of those with CKD. More than 381,000 depend on dialysis to treat kidney failure and every two hours, somebody dies while waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant.
"In order to measure how well the kidneys are functioning, doctors perform the glomerular filtration rate—or GFR test. GFR is calculated from the results of a blood test for creatinine or buildup of waste products, as well as age, race, gender and other factors. The earlier kidney disease is detected, the better the chance of slowing or stopping its progression. In other words, knowing your GFR can save your life," said Kate O’Connor, CEO with
“Anyone with high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of either of these conditions or kidney disease is at risk for developing kidney disease and must get his or her GFR checked. It’s also important to have a simple urine test to check for a type of protein called albumin, since protein in the urine is an early indicator of kidney disease. Early detection and treatment can make a difference in preventing kidney disease from becoming kidney failure and can help reduce cardiovascular complications in those with kidney disease,” continued O’Connor.
The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois is partnering with Rockford Nephrology Associates to offer a free screening through the nation’s only educational mobile unit, the KidneyMobile®, for those at risk for kidney disease on Saturday, October 1 from 9am- 1pm at Rockford Nephrology Associates located at 612 Roxbury Road in Rockford. Free screenings will include: blood pressure, blood sugar, body mass index, waist circumference, urinalysis and blood draw for kidney disease. For more information on upcoming screenings, visit www.kidneymobile.org or call 312-321-1500.
What the Numbers Mean
It may sound complicated, but understanding GFR results is as easy as knowing a number and what it signifies in terms of kidney function. If GFR is over 90, the kidneys are healthy and functioning normally. A kidney score of 60-89 means the person should be monitored, and if GFR scores falls to less than 60 for a three-month period, that is an indicator of chronic kidney disease.
About NKFI’s KidneyMobile® Program
In 2005, the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois launched the nation’s first KidneyMobile®, a custom motor coach offering free mobile education and screening services to Illinois communities. The KidneyMobile® is the nation’s only traveling chronic kidney disease screening program. Participants are invited on board the KidneyMobile® for an educational tour and short video featuring people whose lives have been impacted by diabetes and kidney disease. NKFI is dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. For more information on KidneyMobile’s events and schedule, visit www.kidneymobile.org.
CONTACT:
Nicole Sisen, CHES
National Kidney Foundation of Illinois
nsisen@nkfi.org
312-321-1500
April 20, 2011 - RNA has a new lighted sign |
Have you seen Rockford Nephrology Associates on Roxbury lately? Have you noticed anything different about it? RNA is proud to announce they have added new lit signage to the front of the building. With so many medical offices in the area, this will help visitors to RNA identify our building. Be sure to check it out on your next visit! (click each photo to view enlargement)
April 9, 2011 - Annual Red Shoe Run for Donor Awareness |
Rockford Nephrology Associates had the pleasure of being a sponsor for the 2011 Annual Red Shoe Run for Donor Awareness. Hundreds of participants enjoyed the walk/run through the beautiful neighborhood on April 9, 2011. The Red Shoe Run is held every April to celebrate National Donate Life month, increase donations of organs, tissue, eye, blood and marrow, and raise funds. We are happy to help such a wonderful cause! (click each photo to view enlargement)
October 16, 2010 - National Kidney Foundation of Illinois Offered Free Screening to Freeport Community Members |
View Flyer |
(Freeport, IL.) – The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI) in collaboration with DaVita, Inc. and Rockford Nephrology Associates provided the Freeport and its surrounding communities the message of early detection and prevention of Chronic Kidney Disease. Currently, the leading causes of kidney disease in the United States today are high blood pressure and diabetes. The NKFI’s KidneyMobile provided free screening and education about risk factors for kidney disease to 24 attendee’s. Of the 24 screened, 23 were shown to have abnormal testing in one or more of the following categories including: waist circumference, HgA1C, hematuria, eGFR, body mass index, blood pressure, microalbumin, BUN, creatinine, blood sugar, pyuria and albumin/creatinine ratio. Of the 24 screened, 50% needed referral for management of their health concerns.
The support of the NKFI displays DaVita, Inc. and Rockford Nephrology Associates dedication to the community and its role in increasing awareness of the risks associated with high blood pressure and diabetes. We look forward to providing free screening to our Rockford community with the NKFI’s KidneyMobile in the Fall of 2011.
NKFI is dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. For more information about risk factors and to learn about free screening in your area, visit www.kidneymobile.org.
About NKFI’s KidneyMobile® Program
In 2005, the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI) launched the nation’s first KidneyMobile®, a custom motor coach offering free mobile education and screening services to Illinois communities. The KidneyMobile is the nation’s only traveling chronic kidney disease screening program. Participants are invited on board the KidneyMobile® for an educational tour and short video featuring people whose lives have been touched by diabetes and kidney disease. For more information on KidneyMobile’s events and schedule, visit www.kidneymobile.org.
CONTACT:
Nicole Sisen, CHES
National Kidney Foundation of Illinois
nsisen@nkfi.org
312-321-1500
Rockford Nephrology Associates (RNA) recently received the 2009 DaVita Team Spirit of Partnership Award
Rockford Nephrology Associates (RNA) recently received the 2009 DaVita Team Spirit of Partnership Award. The prestigious award is given annually to recognize partnering Nephrology practices who collaboratively work with DaVita to not only improve clinical outcomes for people with chronic kidney disease, but also to support the larger kidney care community.
Of the 500 dialysis units nationwide that partner with DaVita, only six received awards.
"We deliberately try to be a good partner to DaVita," said John Maynard, M.D. "We respect each other and share the same goal of providing excellent patient care. We follow many of their clinical protocols and because of this RNA is able to obtain excellent clinical outcomes. We value our relationship with DaVita. Not only do we work closely on clinical protocols, RNA has gone to Capital Hill with DaVita representatives to meet with Congressman to improve dialysis legislation."
RNAs relationship with DaVita has been ongoing for years: In 2003, RNA worked closely with DaVita to resolve a dialysis chair shortage issue in the Rockford area. Today, there are plenty of chairs available in the area for patients with convenient hours at seven convenient DaVita locations.
DaVita is one of the largest kidney care companies in the United States.
2010 - RNA is excited to announce that we have transitioned to an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) |
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The EMR offers a record management system which allows our office to enter and access patient information in the most efficient way possible. Our doctors and other staff members are able to access the electronic chart at our satellite locations too. Although it offers a quick and portable way to access information, RNA follows the strict HIPAA privacy requirements to keep medical records safe and secure.
Each of our patient rooms is now equipped with a new computer. Your provider can see your picture on the computer screen and will enter information directly into your electronic chart during your appointment. The provider can see your medical history and even send your prescriptions instantly to your pharmacy.
This EMR will reduce paper waste, reduce faxing and filing, eliminate dictation, provide a more efficient way to prescribe medicine, and will help our medical staff be able to access medical information quickly for our patients.