As you likely know, Chronic Kidney Disease patients especially those who conduct Dialysis, are at particular risk for Hospital Acquired Infections. For instance, Chronic Kidney Disease patients, particularly those on Dialysis,  are admitted to the hospital frequently. In fact, it is estimated that patients on Dialysis will require at least 1 hospitalization per year for a duration of approximately 14 days. 

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Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients are also immunocompromised (weak immune system) as a result of toxin buildup and numerous comorbid (other underlying diseases) conditions which predispose them to infections. What's more, patients receiving Dialysis are frequently exposed directly to invasive devices, especially those related to the Vascular Access (AV Fistula, PD Catheter, Chest Catheter, etc.).

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Hence, two facts are clear: (1) Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients in particular are likely to be regularly admitted to the hospital, and (2) these patients are also at a high risk for infection because (among other things) the process of Dialysis requires frequent use of catheters or insertion of needles to access the bloodstream. It may, therefore, cause alarm when Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients learn of news that 721 hospitals have recently been penalized for lack of patient infection safety.

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What is even more concerning is that documented safety infractions directly related to areas of vulnerability for the health of Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients such as the following:

1. Central-Line associated bloodstream infections. You should know that in 2008 data, Hemodialysis patients acquired some 37,000 Central-Line associated bloodstream infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
2. Catheter-Associated urinary tract infections. 
3. Serious Complications which are based on eight types of injuries, including blood clots, bed sores and falls. 

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While there are thousands of free standing Dialysis Centers in the U.S., to a lesser degree Dialysis services are offered by or affiliated with Hospitals. Thus these recent major penalizations are the latest in a remarkable surge of infection prevention initiatives the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is conducting, some of which are in partnership with the CDC to prevent healthcare associated infections in patients at both the hospitals and freestanding Dialysis Facilities.

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Chronic Kidney Disease patients including those who are undergoing Dialysis Treatments should be reassured of these new provisions to help improve their care, safety, and ultimately quality of life. Since Dialysis and Chronic Kidney Disease patients have weakened immune systems, which increase their risk for infection, and they require frequent hospitalizations and surgery where they might acquire an infection, they may be curious which hospitals were specifically named in the list of those penalized. If so, complete the form below to get the complete list of the 721 hospitals identified. Also, visit KidneyBuzz.com every day for the latest Breaking News and Information about how Chronic Kidney Disease patients can better manage their lives. 

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References:

"Dialysis Safety." Http://www.cdc.gov/dialysis/. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Hospital-Acquired Infections in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients." Http://www.medscape.com. Medscape Log In.

"CMS and CDC Target Infections in Dialysis." Http://hicprevent.blogs.ahcmedia.com. Hospital Infection Control CMS and CDC Target Infections in Dialysis Comments.

"721 Hospitals Penalized For Patient Safety." Http://kaiserhealthnews.org. Kaiser Health News.