LAS VEGAS TOPS FRESENIUS TRAVEL LIST FOR DIALYSIS PATIENTS

LAS VEGAS TOPS FRESENIUS TRAVEL LIST FOR DIALYSIS PATIENTS
August 18, 20100

WALTHAM, Mass.—Las Vegas topped Fresenius Medical Care’s top 10 list of places for dialysis patients to travel, according to an Aug. 18 news release.

“Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) wants to encourage all dialysis patients, whether they are FMCNA patients or not, to enjoy travel and take vacations across the U.S. and abroad by utilizing its free Patient Travel Service,” Fresenius said in a news release.

The top 10 travel destinations for dialysis patients who use the Fresenius Medical Care Patient Travel Service are:

Las Vegas, Nev.
Baton Rouge, La.
Orlando, Fla.
Dallas, Texas
Sevierville, Tenn. (Smoky Mountains and Dollywood destination)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Atlantic City, N.J.
Bullhead City, Ariz. (popular snowbird spot and casino area on the Colorado River)
Cape May, N.J.
"Many dialysis patients may feel hesitant to travel, because they don't realize how easy it is to arrange for treatments on the road. We set up everything for them so they don’t have to worry about where and how to get dialysis," said Patrick Henry, senior manager of the Fresenius Medical Care Patient Travel Service. “We want to empower patients to focus on what's important in their lives—visiting with family on holidays, enjoying an extended vacation, or just getting away for a fun weekend."

Fresenius reported that patients use the travel service primarily for vacations and family visits, but one of the growing trends is an American classic—the road trip. Patients with RVs and campers are hitting the road, and heading for destinations near and far.

Fresenius offers its Patient Travel Service to provide free assistance in locating and scheduling dialysis treatment for all patients traveling in the United States (including Puerto Rico) and abroad. The Patient Travel Service is a specialized group that handles treatment reservations for dialysis patients who travel, and its services are available to all patients, whether their home dialysis facility is part of the Fresenius Medical Care network or not.

To arrange travel, patients, clinical staff or social workers can call the Patient Travel Service at 1-866-4DIALYSIS (1-866-434-2597, Option 2) to get help finding a convenient facility at their requested travel destination, or to get answers to general questions about traveling while on dialysis. Spanish speaking representatives are also available. There is no charge for this service, and for the best results patients are encouraged to plan early.

http://www.renalbusiness.com/news/2010/08/las-vegas-tops-fresenius-travel-list-for-dialysis-patients.aspx