Baxter Launches PD-First Program for Employees and Families

• Innovative program will offer education and clinical support to patients and their families who may be considering dialysis options
• Therapy education has been cited as one reason only 10% of dialysis patients choose peritoneal dialysis, which is performed at home¹

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX), a global medical products company, announced a new PD-first program for its employees and family members aimed at improving education and awareness of dialysis treatment options, including peritoneal dialysis (PD).

PD is a form of dialysis that is performed by the patient while at home, often at night while the patient sleeps. The therapy works inside the body, using the abdominal lining as a natural filter to remove toxins from the bloodstream. PD may offer lifestyle benefits to patients and their families, including the flexibility to conduct therapy at a time of the patient’s choosing. Studies have shown that after receiving education on dialysis options, nearly half of all patients chose PD², while estimates show that only 10% of patients in the United States are on PD today.¹

Working with its health plan administrator, Baxter will offer the PD-first program to its U.S. employees and their covered family members starting January 1, 2018. Employees and covered family members who are receiving chronic kidney disease care will have access to case management support and education materials that provide information on available dialysis options.

Following their treatment decision, a Baxter employee or family member who requires dialysis and chooses PD will be eligible to receive a monthly self-care payment, given the active role the patient and/or family member must take in administering home dialysis care.

“As an employer and innovator in renal care, Baxter is excited to partner with our health plan to empower employees and their families to choose care that is high quality and cost effective,” said Jeanne Mason, senior vice president, human resources at Baxter. “We see great potential in this program, which we believe is the first of its kind. When employees take an active role in managing a chronic condition, they should share in the economic benefits, in addition to the health benefits.”

Approximately 14% of Americans have some degree of chronic kidney disease (CKD).³ Every year, nearly 700,000 Americans are on dialysis and the incidence of the disease is expected to continue to rise.

About Baxter

Baxter provides a broad portfolio of essential renal and hospital products, including home, acute and in-center dialysis; sterile IV solutions; infusion systems and devices; parenteral nutrition; surgery products and anesthetics; and pharmacy automation, software and services. The company’s global footprint and the critical nature of its products and services play a key role in expanding access to healthcare in emerging and developed countries. Baxter’s employees worldwide are building upon the company’s rich heritage of medical breakthroughs to advance the next generation of healthcare innovations that enable patient care.

Baxter is a registered trademark of Baxter International Inc.

¹ USRDS 2016 Annual Data Report Vol 2, ESRD, Ch 1.
² Golper T. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2001; 16 (suppl 7): 20-24; Source: Devoe D, et al . AJKD. 2016; 68 (3):422-433; Chanouzas D, et al. NDT. 2012;2: 1552-1547; Goovaerts T, et al. NDT. 2005;20:1842-1847; Liebman S, et al. AJKD. 2012;59(4):550-557; Lacson E, et al. AJKD. 2011;58:235-242; Ribitsch W, et al. PDI. 2013;33:367-371; Mehrotra R, et al. Kidney Int. 2005; (1):378-390
³ National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/kidney-disease. Accessed May 30, 2017