DaVita Launches Wireless Internet for Dialysis Patients and Physicians

Dialysis provider’s 1,600-plus facilities now connected

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA), a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), today announced that every one of its clinics across the country now makes wireless Internet access available to all patients while they undergo dialysis treatments.

“Bringing wireless Internet to all of DaVita’s clinics nationwide is just one way that we strive to improve the quality of our patients’ lives”

The nationwide wireless rollout for clinics began in January of this year and was completed last week. DaVita® physicians, patients and teammates now can connect to the Internet through a secure log-in at each clinic with their own personal devices, such as laptops, tablets and PDAs. Patients are able to watch movies, chat with friends and family on social networking sites, and even catch up on work during their in-center dialysis treatments.

“Bringing wireless Internet to all of DaVita’s clinics nationwide is just one way that we strive to improve the quality of our patients’ lives,” stated Anthony Gabriel, chief information officer at DaVita. “Dialysis patients spend an average of four hours per day, three days per week in the dialysis chair at a facility. Providing wireless Internet access allows them to stay connected to their family, community and work while they’re receiving their life-sustaining treatments.”

Typically a patient’s social life and career is put on hold while sitting in a dialysis chair. Wireless Internet will allow working patients the freedom to choose when and where they work, which translates directly into a better quality of life for those undergoing dialysis treatments.

DaVita is a registered trademark of DaVita Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About DaVita

DaVita Inc., a Fortune 500® company, is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, delivering dialysis services and education to patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. As of Dec. 31, 2010, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 1,612 dialysis facilities, serving approximately 125,000 patients. DaVita develops, participates in and donates to numerous programs dedicated to transforming communities and creating positive, sustainable change for children, families and our environment. The company’s leadership development initiatives and corporate social responsibility efforts have been recognized by Fortune, Modern Healthcare, Newsweek and WorldBlu, among others. For more information, please visit www.davita.com.