New Medical Center Focuses on Dialysis Patients Needs

For Bergen County residents facing continual dialysis treatments, life just got a little easier with the grand opening of a Fresenius Medical Care Center in Paramus. The facility which is open six days a week held its official ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday evening.

"We have a lot of patients in the area and many of our other facilities in the area are nearing full capacity," Director of Operations Margaret Milfort said. In Bergen County the closest dialysis centers outside of Paramus are located in Teaneck (two), Englewood and Fairview. "Patients want the prime treatment times at 5:30am and 10am so many of the clinics are full. Here we have a first come, first serve basis right now."

The facility offers hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis to patients with 19 stations. One station is kept isolated for patients with Hepatitis B or any other communicable disease. The nursing staff will also train patients and caregivers how to operate the at-home machines as treatments can last from three to four hours every other day.

"Our patients are usually either on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule to be treated or on a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday schedule," Milfort added.

Some of the main causes of chronic kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, inflammation of the kidney nephrons, poly-cystic kidney disease, autoimmune diseases like lupus, malformed kidneys, kidney stones, and repeated urinary tract infections.

The state of the art dialysis machines will also monitor patients blood pressure while relaxing in a heated massage chair in front of flat screen televisions.

"This is a top shelf facility," Mayor Richard LaBarbiera said prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony. "Paramus is more than just a retail center as we've had more and more facilities like this coming to town. I wish them nothing but the best of luck as our newest business."

The center officially opened within the last month and currently has two patients. While Fresenius Medical Care can only accept non-Medicare patients at this time, the center should be able to begin treating Medicare patients in approximately 45 days, according to Milfort.

The Fresenius Medical Care Center is located at 37 West Century Road with the entrance at the rear of the building. The facility can be contacted at 201-262-0429. For more information about Fresenius Medical Care, visit ultracare-dialysis.com.

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