Satellite Dialysis Enrolls 100 Patients in Innovative Nocturnal Dialysis Program

Recent Survey by Satellite Healthcare Researchers Shows Nocturnal Dialysis Leads to Improved Quality of Life, Other Benefits for Patients

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Satellite Healthcare, one of the nation’s first and leading not-for-profit kidney dialysis service providers, is pleased to announce that it recently enrolled its 100^th patient in its growing nocturnal hemodialysis program. This milestone came earlier than anticipated, as the innovative program has attracted a higher rate of participation than expected by both doctors and patients since its launch two years ago.

“Dialysis overnight: In-center nocturnal hemodialysis programs showing growth”

Available at select Satellite Dialysis centers, nocturnal dialysis enables patients to undergo in-center dialysis three nights a week for about eight hours while they sleep. A relatively new option for people with end stage renal disease, nocturnal dialysis has been shown in multiple studies to be a promising one, resulting in improved quality of life and other health benefits compared to traditional methods of dialyzing.

The vast majority of patients continue to visit dialysis centers during the day several times a week for several hours at a time to undergo treatment, and about eight percent opt for home hemodialysis. (Satellite, a longtime advocate of home dialysis, enrolls more than one-fifth of its patients in home dialysis through its WellBound centers.) At present, only about one percent of dialysis patients in the United States are enrolled in nocturnal programs. The rate at Satellite now stands at about two percent, and is expected to grow significantly in the months and years ahead.

“Our patients who have switched to nocturnal dialysis have by and large expressed a great deal of satisfaction. While spending several nights a week away from home can take some getting used to, nocturnal dialysis can be a life-changing option for patients who hold down full-time jobs, have other daytime obligations or desire greater independence,” said Dr. Brigitte Schiller, Chief Medical Officer of Satellite Healthcare. “Satellite is committed to working with patients to make dialysis fit into their lives – not to force their lives to conform to dialysis. Offering nocturnal dialysis is just one more way we can do that, and we’re thrilled that 100 patients are now enrolled in the program.”

Dr. Schiller and Sheila Doss, RN, Nursing Director of Research at Satellite Healthcare, published an exploration of nocturnal dialysis in the July 2011 issue of Nephrology News & Issues. The article, “Dialysis overnight: In-center nocturnal hemodialysis programs showing growth,” included key observations and findings from a 12-month Satellite Healthcare-sponsored pilot program.

About Satellite Healthcare

Satellite Healthcare, Inc., founded in 1973, is one of the nation’s first and leading providers of dialysis services and kidney disease care. With its affiliated services – Satellite WellBound, Satellite Dialysis and Satellite Research, Satellite Healthcare provides early patient wellness education, personalized clinical services and a complete range of dialysis therapy choices. This comprehensive offering allows Satellite Healthcare to advance the standard of chronic kidney disease care so patients can achieve a better life.

Better care. Better life. Better choice.™

For more information about Satellite Healthcare and its mission to make life better for those with Chronic Kidney Disease, please visit www.SatelliteHealth.com.