Dialysis Center Opens

Blackfoot

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Story Published: Nov 28, 2006 at 9:05 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 29, 2006 at 11:59 AM MDT

By Kayla Anderson

There are more than one-point-five million dialysis patients worldwide, and that number continues to grow. The demand to treat those patients is also growing. In fact, about one in 900 people will undergo kidney dialysis. Thanks to a special ribbon cutting today, patients right here in Eastern Idaho have another choice when it comes to getting their treatment.
The Idaho Kidney Center, in conjunction with Bingham Memorial today held their grand opening ceremony to their new dialysis center. The center is the first of it's kind in Blackfoot. That means patients who are on the life-saving treatment no longer have to make the trek to Idaho Falls or Pocatello to receive their dialysis.
(Paul Kotter; Bingham Memorial)-- "It just makes such a big difference in their lives that they don't have to drive out of town, spend hours having the procedure done, then drive back and than do it all again the next day or two days later."
The center features state of the art equipment including a relaxing atmosphere for patients. The idea is to treat patients with comfort... So the room has a soft feel, including window treatments, art and even shrubbery to take away from the often sterile feeling of hospitals.
"The Idaho Kidney center has created this homey atmosphere because this is something that patients have to spend a lot of time in this room right here."
The center even features personal miniature flat screen televisions for each patient. The dialysis center has been in the works for years.
Now it's open for patients to go, relax, receive their treatment and most importantly get better. This new center makes four throughout the state. There's also one in Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Meridian.

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