(BARBERTON, OHIO) – Patients in Barberton and its surrounding communities will now have improved access to life-saving care thanks to a new 13-station U.S. Renal Care dialysis facility located at 33 Third Street SE in Barberton. Barberton Mayor Bill Judge, Chamber of Commerce Director Joe Fazek, local officials, area hospital leaders, healthcare advocates, patients and physicians gathered today to mark the opening of the state-of-the-art facility, which is the first of its kind in Barberton.
“It is a weight off of my shoulders to finally have somewhere close-to-home to receive my treatment,” said Barberton resident Joyce Hete, whose husband Chuck drives her to appointments. “Many of us local patients have been driving more than 15 minutes each way to get our care three or four times a week. Especially in the wintertime, this will be a much better and safer option for patients and their caretakers.”
The Barberton facility will help meet the rising demand for dialysis services in Ohio. For example, the rate of diabetes, which is a leading cause of kidney failure, has more than doubled in the Buckeye State in the last 15 years. Almost one in 10 adults in the state has been diagnosed with the disease, with likely more cases yet undiagnosed. And as many as 1 in 3 U.S. adults could have diabetes by 2050 if current trends continue, according to an analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We strive to be very patient-focused, both in terms of need and ensuring that our patients have access to the highest-quality dialysis care,” said Dr. Datinder Deo, a nephrologist who will serve as the facility’s Medical Director. “This new U.S. Renal Care facility will give local patients expanded access to care closer to home while also offering a choice in providers. It will also help bring peace of mind to patients and their families by providing them with a healing environment and a care team that puts patient needs above all else.”
Along with a convenient location, patients will have access to an entire team of dedicated professionals including dieticians, social workers and nurses who will provide patients and their families with the support and resources they need to stay on a healthy path during treatment. The new center comes equipped with massage chairs and personal TVs at each station to ensure a relaxing experience, and the décor features calming wall colors and a fireplace as part of a comforting and healing environment.
In addition to in-center dialysis treatment, a cutting-edge U.S. Renal Care Home Therapies program will open shortly after the Barberton facility and will be located at 3300 Greenwich Road in Norton. The program provides education and training for patients who choose to dialyze in the comfort of their homes. Dr. Deo will also serve as the Medical Director of that location.
“No two dialysis patients have the same exact medical and personal needs. U.S. Renal Care recognizes that and is committed to offering patients a variety of treatment options to best fit their respective lifestyles,” said Dr. Deo. “The Home Therapies program provides patients with education, training and regular contact with professionally trained staff so that they have the tools they need to carry out their dialysis care in the comfort of their own home.”
These facilities are U.S. Renal Care’s first in Northeast Ohio, with seven others in the state. They currently operate facilities in the Columbus and Cincinnati metro areas and in Bowling Green. For more information on the Barberton facility, call (330) 753-7280. For the Norton facility, call (330) 825-2354.