DIALYSIS TREATMENTS Transportation is Crucial
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a major health issue and affects almost 750,000 people per year in the United States.
Treatment options for patients with ESRD currently are transplantation and dialysis.
Dialysis is a treatment that keeps your body in balance. It removes waste, salt and extra water to prevent them from building up in your body. Dialysis does what a healthy functioning kidney would do. Missing a dialysis treatment can cause accumulated waste to pollute the bloodstream which left untreated, could be fatal. Missed appointments increase the risk of healthcare interventions. In the two days after a missed dialysis appointment, 5% of patients are hospitalized vs. 1.2% of those that attended the appointment.
When do you need dialysis?
You need dialysis when you develop end stage kidney failure, normally by the time you lose approximately 85-90% of your kidney function. If you develop chronic or end stage failure, your kidneys do not get better and chances are you will need dialysis for the rest of your life – unless you receive a kidney transplant.
Life expectancy on dialysis can vary depending on your other medical conditions and how well you follow your treatment plan. Average life expectancy on dialysis is 5-10 years, however, many patients have lived well on dialysis for 20 or even 30 years.
Missed dialysis treatments:
There are health reasons why a patient might miss their dialysis treatment, but lack of transportation is one of the most common reasons. Missed dialysis treatments can cause permanent damage and can even be life-threatening if left untreated.
Dialysis is a necessity for some patients and is also very time consuming. Many patients admit they hate asking for a ride, or don’t plan ahead and set up transportation for upcoming appointments. Therefore, they miss their scheduled appointments. Having transportation options for dialysis treatment, can be a lifesaver.
SendaRide makes it easy for a patient, the provider, or caregiver to schedule a ride. Rides can be scheduled on-demand, or you can even schedule a series of recurring rides.
SendaRide is a door-to-door non-emergency medical transportation service. It was created for the healthcare industry and focuses on helping patients get to their scheduled medical appointments.
Their compassionate Care Partners (drivers) are highly vetted and even recruited from the healthcare industry. The SendaRide Care Partners make sure their riders arrive at their designated appointment safe and on time.
Three easy ways to schedule!
SendaRide is a mobile app and cloud-based ridesharing platform where users can book transportation for those who may not be able to book for themselves. If you don’t have access to the app, you can call 1.800.731.1885 or log into their user-friendly client web portal to book a ride.
The SendaRide system automatically matches the request with the ideal Care Partner, considering factors such as language, vehicle with wheelchair support, etc.
Missed appointments can worsen your kidney disease and cause you to feel uncomfortable with a list of side effects. SendaRide can help you get the medical treatment you need so you can continue to enjoy the things you love.
References: US Renal Data System, kidney.org, nature.com
1-800-731-1885 or, by visiting www.sendaride.com.
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