Published on March 05, 2010

A New Outlook For Dialysis Patients

Three days a week for more than four hours at a time, the 135 patients of the Edwin A Motto, M.D. Renal Dialysis Center undergo life-sustaining hemodialysis.

The dialysis center located in the lower level of Medical Office Building 1 on the East Rusholme Street campus provides a vital procedure to those with renal failure, but patients have been known to refer to the center as "the cave" or "the dungeon."

Not any longer.

Dialysis patients now have a different outlook and are enjoying more comfortable, brighter surroundings -- thanks to an estimated $2 million construction project made possible partly through donations to the Genesis Health Services Foundation. The construction project began last September and will conclude this summer.

Patients are being moved into the newly expanded and renovated space on the ground floor. Sixteen chairs, or stations, have already been moved into the new space, and the remaining eight will be moved when the project is completed.

Dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment that removes impurities or wastes from the blood when the kidneys are unable to do so. People on dialysis must receive treatments three times a week, for three-to-four hours at a time.

"The surroundings are 100 percent better,'' said dialysis patient Lewis Bell. "You just naturally feel better about having treatment because of the environment. It's like moving into a new home. It's fantastic.'' Jerry Voelkers of Bettendorf noticed there is more room between dialysis stations for patients. "I could have reached over and touched the chairs next to me downstairs,'' he said. "This is much more comfortable for the patients who spend a lot of time here."

The positive reaction Bell and Voelkers have to the center's upgrade is shared by other patients, says Sue Cain, BSN, CNN, manager of the dialysis center.

"They think it is fabulous,'' Cain says. "End-stage renal disease is a chronic disease. Our patients come here three days a week, and many have family members who come with them for treatment. With our new center, our patients and families will enjoy more comfortable surroundings.

There will be more space around the 24 dialysis stations. There will be more privacy and patients will be able to enjoy sunlight. They couldn't see outside from the lower level."

A significant enhancement of the new dialysis center will be a dedicated entrance and parking area for dialysis patients, many who are elderly with mobility issues or who need wheelchairs.

Community gifts for the project came from the proceeds of the 2009 Genesis Gala.