Bringing in local dialysis center still on forefront

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Bringing in local dialysis center still on forefront
by EMILY GEDDE, Staff Writer
December 31, 2011 11:55 AM | 110 views
Establishing a dialysis center in International Falls is still on Chuck Lepper’s radar. And with the new year, the former Koochiching County Commissioner said he will concentrate most of his energy toward the effort.

“With the new year beginning, I’m going to kick it back into gear,” Lepper told The Journal Wednesday.

More than one year ago, Lepper took the reins of the effort to bring in a local center after a letter-writing campaign gained significant attention. Since then, a committee, which includes representation from the Rainy Lake Medical Center hospital campus, has formed to bring awareness to the issue and help generate ways to raise the about $1.2 million needed to have a minimum of six dialysis machines. Currently, Lepper said, about $13,000 is saved for the initiative in an account handled by the Koochiching County Public Health Department.

Last December, The Journal reported that Lepper spoke with consultant David H. Salene, who discussed what is needed to site a center. Salene also informed Lepper of the conditions needed to be filled to be able to lease the site for use of dialysis services and products from Fresenius Medical Care North America — the nation’s largest provider of dialysis services, which provides dialysis to centers on the Iron Range.

Salene last year told the Koochiching County Board that Fresenius had just completed a new 12-station facility in Eveleth that serves a large area of northern Minnesota. The facility is owned by the city and leased to the company on a 10-year lease with two 5-year options.

According to Salene, locating a new facility consists of about three, interrelated conditions:

• Market and demand — a facility in International Falls would dilute the market for Eveleth. To qualify the demand, an accurate count is needed of the number of people who need dialysis and where they receive the service now.

• Lease costs — a cost that could be controlled.

• Operating costs — includes the cost of amortization of the tenant improvements and equipment for a facility. This cost can be impacted by the terms of a lease agreement.

In response to last year’s update, Lepper this week said, “Unfortunately, I don’t have any new developments to report.”

However, Lepper is still optimistic that his efforts can eventually be successful. He explained that earlier this year, a Florida nephrologist — a physician educated and trained in kidney issues and dialysis therapy — expressed interest in relocating to the area. Although contact with the doctor was lost, Lepper was still glad there is the potential for interest out there.

“People have told me as soon as we can get someone to come here and really get the ball rolling, that their checkbooks are open,” he said.

Lepper estimated there to be about 20 people in the area who use dialysis and would benefit from having a center in the community. He said those people are currently driving to the Iron Range for services sometimes three times a week.

“Having kidney problems is devastating,” Lepper said. “And having to travel sometimes 600 miles each week for three 10-hour days, it’s like a prison for the patient and their family.”

Lepper stressed that to move forward, he needs to hear of more interest from the community.

“I need people who would benefit from having a dialysis center here to get a hold of me,” he said. “We can move forward faster with more help.”

How to help

The community can help in the effort in two ways, Lepper said.

People who are dealing with kidney issues that need dialysis now or anticipate that need in the future should contact Lepper.

“It would all be confidential, but I need an idea of actually how many people out there need this,” he said. “And that list changes from time to time.”

Lepper can be reached at his home at 283-2394 or at his business, Lepper’s Dry Cleaning, at 283-3951.

In addition, people may donate to the fund by sending a check marked “Dialysis” to the Public Health Department of Koochiching County. Checks can be sent to 1000 Fifth St., International Falls, MN 56649.

Lepper concluded a promise to see the project through to the end.

“I will not stop until it’s done,” he said. “I am committed to this and the people who would benefit from this. I won’t quit until a dialysis center is here.”


Read more: International Falls Journal - Bringing in local dialysis center still on forefront  http://www.ifallsdailyjournal.com/view/full_story/16942223/article-Bringing-in-local-dialysis-center-still-on-forefront