RNA news
October 16, 2010 - National Kidney Foundation of Illinois Offers Free Screening to Freeport Community Members |
View Flyer |
(Freeport, IL.) – The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI) is providing free early detection screenings, designed to help raise awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), a condition that affects more than 960,000 Illinoisans and one in nine Americans. The screening will take place Saturday, October 16th at the DaVita Freeport Dialysis Center at 1028 Kunkel Blvd. Freeport, IL from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., no appointments are necessary!
In partnership with the Rockford Nephrology Associates and Freeport DaVita Dialysis, the free screening program is open to all community members over 18 years old. Screenings include: body mass index, waist circumference, glucose testing, HbA1c tests, urinalysis and blood draw.
"As key players in preventing kidney disease our partnerships are the best way to prevent and treat chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease," said Nicole Sisen, Director of Community Health Education of NKFI. "We hope to empower participants to be proactive about their healthcare and to take initiative about testing for the conditions that lead to kidney disease."
In addition to free screenings, attendees also received counseling on strategies for a healthier diet, plus life-saving next steps in the case that abnormal screening results are discovered. More than 73 percent of those who participated in the NKFI’s screening program find that they have at least one abnormal result which requires either a referral and/or medication.
Rates of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the United States have increased by more than 20% over the last decade, causing kidney failure, loss of life and sky-rocketing health care costs. More than $57 billion of the US Medicare budget is allocated to treat CKD and $19 billion to the treatment of end-stage 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 about risk factors and the KidneyMobile Program, 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) |
View Photos |
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.
October 24, 2009 - Kidney Mobile |
View Photos |
RNA was honored to be visited by the Kidney Mobile. Sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation of IL, the Kidney Mobile is a mobile exhibit offering free prevention education and health screenings for high blood pressure, diabetes and chronic kidney disease to Illinois communities. Our offices were filled with area residents who took advantage of this free service.
All participants were given free tests including Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference, Blood Glucose, Blood Draw, and Urinalysis. A private consultation by a provider was given at the end of each screening to help patients better understand their screening results. Everyone was encouraged to take the educational tour of the Kidney Mobile that offered hands-on displays as well as a short video featuring people whose lives have been touched by Kidney Disease.
A total number of 48 participants were welcomed by RNA and 83% of those screened had high blood pressure and were referred to their primary care physicians. RNA is thankful to have been involved in this great community service.
October 10, 2009 - American Diabetes Walk |
View Photos |
RNA was a sponsor of the American Diabetes Walk held at Curran's Apple Orchard. This event was a huge success and RNA employees donated over $300 in the fight against diabetes.