DAVENPORT, Iowa -- October 13, 2014 -- Genesis Health System and DaVita Kidney Care today announced they have entered into a joint venture agreement for the continued operation of the Quad Cities' only hospital campus-based hemodialysis center.
The center provides treatment to patients with kidney failure on an out-patient basis. The agreement calls for patient care services to continue uninterrupted at the recently remodeled and expanded Genesis dialysis center located on the East Rusholme Street campus of Genesis Medical Center, Davenport.
According to Genesis Vice President of Corporate Communications Ken Croken, the decision to enter the joint venture agreement with DaVita Kidney Care was driven largely by the increasing operational complexity and high costs of maintaining a single dialysis center. Specifically, Croken noted that the regulatory demands and technical requirements of hemodialysis have grown more challenging over the years. And, the operation of an independent center in Davenport has become cost-prohibitive because Genesis cannot benefit from the volume discounts on equipment and supplies available to larger, multi-site providers. Moreover, smaller providers cannot provide the highly specialized technical support available within a larger organization focused exclusively on hemodialysis.
"DaVita Kidney Care is a national leader in the innovative care of patients with chronic kidney failure and end-stage renal disease," Croken said. "Today, DaVita Kidney Care operates or manages more than 2,100 dialysis centers across the U.S. The company's commitment to quality care and customer service is evidenced by its nearly 170,000 patients nationwide."
The GHS Board of Directors has determined that DaVita is the right partner to help ensure the stability of this critical patient service in the community. In this way, patients who currently rely on the life-saving care they receive at our state-of-art Genesis out-patient center -- as well as in the hospital - can continue to do so." Genesis provides nearly 20,000 dialysis treatments annually.
"We are pleased to expand our services in the Quad Cities region and honored to partner with Genesis Health System to provide world-class kidney care," said Mark Bratland, Divisional Vice President for DaVita Kidney Care. "I want our new patients as well as the Genesis medical staff to know that we are dedicated to provide a smooth transition and to live by our Mission as the Provider, Partner and Employer of Choice."
About DaVita Kidney Care
DaVita Kidney Care is a division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., a Fortune 500® company that, through its operating divisions, provides a variety of health care services to patient populations throughout the United States and abroad. A leading provider of dialysis services in the United States, DaVita Kidney Care treats patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita Kidney Care strives to improve patients' quality of life by innovating clinical care, and by offering integrated treatment plans, personalized care teams and convenient health management services. As of June 30, 2014, DaVita Kidney Care operated or provided administrative services at 2,119 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States serving approximately 168,000 patients. The company also operated 84 outpatient dialysis centers located in 10 countries outside the United States. DaVita Kidney Care supports numerous programs dedicated to creating positive, sustainable change in communities around the world. The company's leadership development initiatives and social responsibility efforts have been recognized by Fortune, Modern Healthcare, Newsweek and WorldBlu. For more information, please visit DaVita.com.
About Genesis Health System
Genesis Health System, its affiliates and partners offer a continuum of health care services for a 12-county region of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. Our affiliates include : Acute and tertiary hospital care at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport and DeWitt, Iowa and at Genesis Medical Center, Silvis and Genesis Medical Center, Aledo, Ill.; home health and hospice services through Genesis VNA and Hospice; Genesis Workplace Services, including occupational health, employee assistance program and wellness services for employers and their employees; the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House; senior living facilities offering rehabilitation and long-term care; Genesis Health Group, with nearly 200 primary
care providers and specialists; the Genesis Quad Cities Family Practice Residency program; Genesis Psychology Associates; three Convenient Care clinics; and Genesis Home Medical Equipment. Partners include Genesis Medical Park, Crow Valley and Spring Street Surgical Center, Davenport and Genesis Imaging Centers. Genesis manages Jackson County Regional Health Center, Maquoketa, Iowa. Genesis is one of the largest employers in the Quad Cities region with more than 5,000 employees. For more information, visit our Web site at www.genesishealth.com.
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