National Renal Care (NRC) Umhlanga recently moved to new premises in order to keep pace with the growing demand for its dialysis services. This new state-of-the-art unit currently provides dialysis to 72 patients a day, with the capacity to increase to 114 patients.
NRC Umhlanga unit manager, Caroline Govender, explains that the dialysis unit has moved from its previous premises, at the Umhlanga Medical Centre, to the fifth floor of Ridge 6 building, 20 Ncondo Place, in Umhlanga Rocks.
“Our facility provides a range of life-saving dialysis treatments for renal patients, including haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. The new premises also provide for isolation dialysis, whereby patients with infectious conditions can receive treatment in a dedicated area with strict infection control measures,” she explains.
Pic: National Renal Care (NRC) Umhlanga recently moved to new premises, at Ridge 6 building, 20 Ncondo Place, Umhlanga Rocks, to keep pace with the growing demand for the lifesaving dialysis treatment it provides. The larger, improved unit will have the capacity to treat 114 patients per day.
Haemodialysis is a life-saving procedure for people with kidney function impairment, involving a dialysis machine filtering the blood by providing an artificial purifying mechanism for people whose kidneys can no longer eliminate dangerous toxins from their bodies. Peritoneal dialysis is another form of dialysis, involving fluid exchange via a membrane in the patient’s abdomen. Patients with end-stage renal disease usually need dialysis treatment three times a week, for around four hours at a time.
“An added advantage for our patients is that the new NRC Umhlanga unit is equipped to provide nocturnal dialysis for those who are not able to take time out of their daytime schedules to receive treatment,” Govender says.
While haemodialysis treatment usually takes place over a four-hour period, overnight or nocturnal dialysis is performed over a period of eight hours, with a slower blood and dialysate flow rate. The more gradual flow rate tends to have a less severe effect on the vascular system, with many patients reporting feeling stronger and less tired after this type of dialysis, relative to haemodialysis. An important advantage of the overnight procedure is that it usually removes more toxins and fluids from the blood than traditional dialysis.
“Nocturnal dialysis is not suitable for all renal patients, however highly skilled resident nephrologist Dr Ismail Randeree, can advise patients in this regard. Our dedicated staff can provide guidance on lifestyle choices to help get the most out of the renal therapy offered at NRC Umhlanga,” Govender notes.
The new NRC Umhlanga dialysis unit incorporates advanced water wise technology through reverse osmosis systems and has included a sustainable water project to assist the North Coast with reducing water wastage.
“In the new, modern facility patients can enjoy beautiful views over Umhlanga Rocks, all the way to the Durban beach front, during their therapy. Renal patients on the North Coast are invited to come and see for themselves how NRC Umhlanga, with its professional, friendly staff and well-appointed facilities, can make dialysis therapy as pleasant an experience as it can possibly be,” Govender concludes.
Editors’ notes:
National Renal Care (Pty) Ltd operates as a joint venture between Adcock Ingram Critical Care (Pty) Ltd and Netcare Limited and offers a range of additional services to patients, including nutritional guidelines, patient education and support groups for patients and their families.
Ends
Issued by: Martina Nicholson Associates (MNA) on behalf of National Renal Care
Contact : Martina Nicholson, Graeme Swinney, Sarah Wilson or Meggan Saville
Telephone: (011) 469 3016
Email: [email protected],[email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]