CMS gives high marks to dialysis service at Adirondack Health

SARANAC LAKE - A patient who receives live-saving dialysis depends on a personalized treatment plan unique to his or her health condition and history.

A personalized treatment plan is the result of caring and attentive staff monitoring vital statistics and quality indicators before, during and after the dialysis process.  Doing so often results in the quality of life a patient wants and desires.  Treatment beyond receiving dialysis can include, but is not limited to, nutritional counseling and/or physical activity regimen.

The dialysis service provided at Adirondack Health recently received the highest mark possible on a performance review conducted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services.  Those facilities failing to meet the standards set by CMS may be subject to a reduction in the payments from insurers.

Adirondack Health offers dialysis treatment to area residents at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake and at the Mercy Living Center in Tupper Lake.   The service is also available to visitors who hail from elsewhere in the U.S. and international locales.  A team of medical and nursing professionals, nutritionists and case managers provide the comprehensive array of care for Adirondack Health's dialysis patients.  The review by CMS examines the core measures of anemia management and if the dialysis treatment is adequately removing toxins from the blood, a function normally performed by the kidneys.

Ideally, by exceeding these measures, the dialysis service at Adirondack Health helps patients maintain a quality lifestyle.  One of those patients is William "Bill" Scheefer of Saranac Lake.  He is an avid ski enthusiast who would be unable to enjoy his hobby were it not for the treatment he receives at Adirondack Health.  He competes in NASTAR races, which stands for the National Standard Race and is the largest public grassroots ski race program in the world.  For Bill, it's not so much about the competition, but the camaraderie and adrenalin rush he gets from skiing.

"It's a passion, and I am a winter person," Bill said of his love for skiing, "The staff take very good care of me."  It is not uncommon for Bill to see the dialysis staff who care for him out on the slopes. 

Patients can learn more about how Adirondack Health's dialysis services compare to those provided at other area facilities, by logging onto www.medicare.gov/dialysis/home.asp.

William "Bill" Scheefer loves to ski.  He is able to enjoy his hobby thanks to the dialysis treatment
he receives at Adirondack Medical Center, a member of Adirondack Health.

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