Dialysis Patient Bill Clears Latest Hurdle in California State Senate

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA -- A bill aimed at improving safety for more than 63,000 Californians who undergo life-saving dialysis treatment several times weekly in more than 560 clinics throughout the state was approved April 25 by the California State Senate Judiciary Committee.

The Dialysis Patient Safety Act (SB 349), introduced Feb. 15 by State Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach) and sponsored by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP), a union of RNs and health care professionals, and SEIU UHW, a health care tech workers’ union, would establish caregiver-to-patient ratios and mandate safe transition times so equipment can be fully cleaned of blood and fluids between patients to prevent the spread of life-threatening infections.

The bill sets ratios for California’s chronic dialysis clinics of no more than one RN to eight patients, one patient care technician to one patients and one social worker to 75 patients.

The two largest dialysis companies, Fresenius and DaVita have fought the bill while arguing against the cost, among other things. Predictions have been made that the bill would result in facilities closing and treatment hours being cut.

The bill previously passed the Senate Health Committee on March 29. With the Judiciary Committee’s favorable vote on April 25, the bill next goes to the Appropriations Committee in a few weeks.

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