**Dial In for Dialysis Info**

[Zach]

http://www.propublica.org/article/dial-in-for-dialysis-info

Dial In for Dialysis Info

by Mike Webb

ProPublica, Jan. 13, 2011, 1:37 p.m.

Late last year, ProPublica released dialysis clinic performance data [1] that the government had been collecting but,
with few exceptions, had never made public. ProPublica's Dialysis Tracker [2] allows patients to search for a clinic
and see how it compares to others on 15 different measures, ranging from mortality rates and hospitalization to
transplants rates and infection control.

Consumers were the immediate beneficiaries because our dialysis series [4] gave
them access to material that could help them make more informed decisions
about their treatment. And media outlets were able to use data to produce their
own news reports about dialysis care.

Since the series started, several reporters and members of the renal community have asked questions about the data
and how they can use it. To answer these questions, and any others our readers might have, senior editor Robin
Fields will host a conference call on Thursday, Jan. 20 at 3 p.m. Eastern / 12 p.m. (noon) Pacific.

Fields will walk participants through the ways they can use the dialysis data -- whether it be for reporting, research,
policy analysis or your own health. The call will cover how this data set goes beyond what has previously been
available and she'll discuss ideas for further reporting on this issue.

If you would like to join the call, sign up now [3] and next week, we'll send you the number to call.
1. http://www.propublica.org/article/dialysis-data-once-confidential-shines-light-on-clinic-disparities
2. http://projects.propublica.org/dialysis/
3. http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6253/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=3011
4. http://www.propublica.org/topic/diagnosing-dialysis

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experiences.

http://www.propublica.org/article/inform-our-investigations