DaVita Prepares 180 Dialysis Centers for Hurricane Ike

DaVita Prepares 180 Dialysis Centers for Hurricane Ike
Hundreds of DaVita Teammates Aid Dialysis Patients in Texas and Louisiana

Last update: 5:49 p.m. EDT Sept. 11, 2008
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Sep 11, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- As Hurricane Ike rapidly approaches the Texas and Louisiana coast, DaVita's Emergency Response Team has hundreds of teammates supplying the necessary materials and generators to maintain dialysis treatment during and after the storm. Kidney failure patients - who require dialysis treatments three times per week - are at high risk during emergencies as they depend on life-sustaining dialysis treatments. DaVita(R) teammates are preparing to assist evacuees from across the region and Federal and State special needs.
In addition to DaVita's Emergency Response Team's immediate preparations, The DaVita Guest Service Contact Center is operational 24 hours a day as a resource to let patients and their families know whether clinics are open for treatment. Live team members assist in making alternative arrangements for treatment if necessary. Patients can call (800) 400-8331 to schedule treatments.
"Our team is working around the clock to help ensure that every patient can weather this storm," said Richard Bruner, Divisional Vice President for the Texas and Louisiana regions. At DaVita, we know that quality care is imperative no matter what emergency nature throws our way. Our team is taking extensive measures to help enable all our patients to receive treatment and supplies in the days before and after this storm."
Along with scheduled dialysis treatments, kidney patients must maintain a particular diet. DaVita has provided the following links on www.davita.com:
Emergency preparedness for people with kidney disease
Preparing for the unexpected with home dialysis
The site instructs patients on how to prepare meals to last through a minimum of three days. The 3-day emergency diet will provide dialysis patients with adequate nutrition in the event of an emergency while limiting the amount of fluid and waste their body accumulates until a patient's next treatment.
DaVita is a registered trademark of DaVita Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About DaVita Inc.
DaVita Inc., a FORTUNE 500(R) company, is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, providing dialysis services and education for patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita manages more than 1,300 outpatient facilities and acute units in more than 700 hospitals located in 43 states and the District of Columbia, servingapproximately 107,000 patients. As part of DaVita's commitment to building a healthy, caring community, DaVita develops, participates in and donates to numerous programs dedicated to transforming communities and creating positive, sustainable change for children, families and our environment.
For more information about DaVita, its kidney education and its community programs, please visit www.davita.com.
SOURCE: DaVita Inc.

For DaVita Inc.
Alia Mahi, (310) 702-2653

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