Puget Sound Kidney Centers

Krissy Davis from the Everett Rotary Club, and Executive Director of the Puget Sound Kidney Centers (PSKC), a nonprofit with multiple dialysis centers serving 900 patients annually, totaling 120,000 treatments. PSKC, founded in 1981, merged with Olympic Peninsula Kidney Centers in 2021, expanding to 12 centers. Davis highlighted the importance of nonprofit dialysis, which offers better patient outcomes. She explained the different dialysis modalities, including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, and emphasized the need for early education about kidney disease. Davis also shared efforts to support patients, such as providing emergency backup generators and nutritional support, and encouraged community involvement and fundraising.

Types of Dialysis and Their Modalities

Krissy discussed the three types of dialysis: hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and home hemodialysis. She explained the process of hemodialysis, including the creation of a fistula in the arm. Peritoneal dialysis involves a surgical implant in the gut, where a saline solution filters waste overnight. She shared a study where 99% of nephrologists would choose peritoneal dialysis if they needed it.

Challenges and Support for Patients

Krissy mentions the barriers to accessing peritoneal dialysis, such as housing, incarceration, and living alone. PSKC provides wrap-around care, including social workers, renal dietitians, and support from the Kidney Auxiliary of Puget Sound. The Kidney Auxiliary provides direct patient support, including emergency rental assistance and transportation.

PSKC offers free community education classes, such as "Survive and Thrive" and "Healthy Options," to help patients understand their condition and treatment options.

Community Education and Outreach

Krissy emphasized the importance of early education on kidney disease for better outcomes and lower costs. She explained the five functions of the kidneys: filtering waste products, regulating blood pressure, producing red blood cells, balancing mineral levels, and controlling blood pH. She encouraged attendees to check their GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) numbers in their lab results, aiming for a GFR over 60.

Ways to Support ESKC

Krissy invited attendees to volunteer or attend PSKC events, such as the "Gift of Life" auction. She encouraged businesses and organizations to sponsor community causes and support PSKC.

She offers to meet with individuals and groups to discuss ways to support ESKC and its patients.

Krissy reiterated the importance of early education on kidney disease and the role of GFR in monitoring kidney health.

To learn more about Puget Sound Kidney Centers, go to its website by clicking HERE.