Non -profit dialysis clinics reduce the worst results of patients and access to transplant.
Most people in the United States who need dialysis are treated by a clinic owned by large lucrative companies. These companies make about 80 % of the dialysis market, and only two of them – Davita and Pharisees all control over 60 % of all dialysis centers. Although these clinics help people with kidney failure to survive and manage their condition, there have been increasing concerns how business choices can affect patients care.
Recent investigations and years of research have raised red flags. One -third of the clinic failed to meet the federal performance standards in the past year. Many of these facilities belong to major profitable groups. According to some experts, at the same time, people in dialysis in the United States are dying rapidly compared to other developed countries. According to some experts.
Between 1998 and 2010, large companies bought more than 1,200 small dialysis clinics nationwide. After taking over, researchers received changes that led to severe concerns. The staff was brought with less training to replace more experienced nurses. Each employee was made responsible for more and more patients, and each machine was assigned to more and more people. This may cause more pressure for workers and may increase the risk for patients.
At the same time, there were shifts in how the medicines were given. A drug used to treat anemia, which is common in dialysis patients, was given high rates. At the time, the drug for the clinic, under medical rules, was then profitable under medical rules. In 2011, after Medicare changed its payment system, drug use decreased rapidly, which shows that decisions about care can run with money rather than a patient’s need.
Research has shown that after taking over large companies, patients are more likely to be admitted to the hospital. The chances of avoiding dialysis also fell. Even more disturbing, was less likely to keep patients in the waiting list for kidney transplantation. This means that fewer patients were shot to completely descended from dialysis, though transplant is often the best result.
Some accusations fall on the lack of competition. In many areas, patients have only one provider to choose. Even when there are more than one, obstacles such as poor health or lack of transportation can make the clinic almost impossible. Without pressure from rivals, companies have little reason to improve patient treatment procedures.
Experts are demanding Medicare to work closely with anti -trust agencies to review the merger. Right now, many clinic purchases are without over -monitoring because individual locations are small and it does not seem to change the market itself. But when hundreds of small deals increase, the overall effect can be huge. These changes, even if they are difficult to track locally, have a real impact on people’s health.
The story of dialysis in the United States is where business and medicine are deeply connected. Although companies argue that their focus is always on safety and care, the number is otherwise suggests. Patients are getting sick, dying soon, and losing better options. Meanwhile, the clinic continues to grow, collect medical payment, and new ways to reduce costs.
Researchers emphasize that better rules, strong surveillance and cooperation between agencies are needed to ensure that people with kidney failure are not being ignored. As matters now stand, it seems that the current system gives more rewards than volume and cost -cutting, which supports life -saving care.
Depending on dialysis for hundreds of thousands of Americans to survive, elections in the profitable corporate board rooms may have a heavy weight. When profit increases as the results deteriorate, it is difficult to argue that this system is working for people who have to serve.
Sources:
The kidney dialysis industry is accused of making maximum profit on patients
Large lucrative dialysis companies spoil patient care
Kidney dialysis is a rise business – is it also a fraud?
