We are an advocacy for patients who are traversing the dialysis treatment process, and no one can be expected to navigate this difficult undertaking alone. We are a resource for better healthcare. We advocate patient rights to which they are entitled under the law.
Tuesday, September 13, 2016 | By William Tinker | No Comments
It will probably come as no surprise that most of the major renal care facilities in the US have come under investigation for fraud in recent years, including Fresenius Medical Care America, DaVita Inc. Renal Care Group, Quest Diagnostics, and Bone Care International.
Friday, February 19, 2016 | By William Tinker | No Comments
Fresenius Medical Care has settled a class action suit for Dialysis Patients deaths from use of Granuflo, NaturalLyte a dialysate during dialysis; large numbers of Dialysis Patient were having cardiac arrest or death after receiving these.
The Law Offices of Joseph R. Santoli, Esq. (1-800-279-6996, josephsantoli@aol.com) is reviewing claims nationally for those who’s loved ones died suddenly from cardiac arrest within days or less of receiving either Granuflo or NaturaLyte dialysate additive as part of their dialysis treatment prior to June 27, 2012
Joseph Santoli has worked tirelessly with Dialysis Advocates for the rights of Dialysis Patients
Wednesday, January 28, 2015 | By William Tinker | 1 Comment
Dialysis Advocates visited New York where they held discussions with individuals and companies interested in solving the problems within dialysis for patients and health care workers. Topics covered were patient abuse, bullying, and wrongful termination of care, along with blackballing. The subject of technician training and number of patients per technician were also addressed.
Round table meetings were held with Lawyers, Physicians, Patients, Technicians and those working for a Living Organ Donor system.
Dialysis Advocates Founders William Tinker, and Arlene-Mullin-Tinker were interviewed for an upcoming documentary on Dialysis presently being filmed by Gordon Skinner.
For more information listen to Dialysis Talk tomorrow Thursday January 29th at 9:00 Eastern and 6:00 Pacific at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/dialysisadvocates
Thursday, April 3, 2014 | By Terrri Tinker | No Comments
DaVita: Short-Term Headwinds Could Create Buying Opportunity For Long-Term Investors
DaVita’s reliance on third-party payments are causing some short-term headwinds. DaVita’s services are essential and must be provided for, providing long-term security for investors. Worldwide demand for dialysis is anticipated to grow 6-7% per annum. DaVita Healthcare Partners (DVA) is one of the leading U.S. providers of services for patients suffering from chronic kidney failure. Along with Fresenius Medical Care (FMS), almost 70% of the U.S. dialysis market is controlled. Completed in November of 2012, the $4.4 billion merger with HealthCare Partners added a privately held physician practice network to DaVita. While the merger does have the benefit of increasing revenue diversity, there is another benefit which was created. Competition is strong for the all-important commercially insured patients. The HealthCare Partner physicians, now part of the same company as DaVita, are more likely to send their patients to DaVita controlled dialysis centers. 2013 adjusted operating income was $385 million for HealthCare Partners, representing just over 20% of DaVita’s total, with Kidney Care the remainder. Operating earnings for HealthCare Partners is expected to be under pressure in 2014. DaVita had anticipated OE to come in between $250 and $310 million. During the recent earnings call, DaVita stated that it now expects 2014 numbers to be at the low end of those figures, which would represent a significant decline from 2013. DaVita expects Kidney Care 2014 operating earnings to be between $1.475 and $1.550 billion. The low estimate represents an increase of $10 million; the high estimate represents an increase of $50 million. Neither is particularly substantial. When asked about the guidance for 2014 with HCP, DaVita had this to say: the change in our perspective on ’14 is almost entirely driven by the fact that the FTC has been slow on approving merger to plans in that market and some of our new contractual provisions are not triggered until that deal is consummated. That’s why there’s the adjustment in our thoughts on ’14. Kidney Care is also not immune from troubles in 2014. DaVita has a strong reliance on third-party payments, including Medicare and Medicaid. Back in July of 2013, it was announced that the U.S. Medicare system proposed cutting payments for dialysis services by 9.4%. This sent DaVita shares tumbling down 5.9% for the day. As it turned out, Medicare is leaving its reimbursement rate for dialysis services unchanged in 2014. In order to minimize disruptions to both providers and patients, rate cuts will be done over a multi-year period. That near 6% fall in share price gives some insight into the importance investors assign to the issue. Perhaps overlooked by some investors, most of DaVita’s profits actually come from commercially insured treatments. Both Medicare and Medicaid covered patients do make up 90% of DaVita’s treatments, but margins on these particular patients are extremely low. Most of DaVita’s profits come from commercial insurers, even though they only make up 10% of treatments. Unfortunately, on top of Medicare and Medicaid, increased commercial rate pressure and the potential impact of exchanges are some additional headwinds DaVita will be facing in 2014. This all adds up to a lot of uncertainty in the short-term. Long-term, DaVita remains an excellent play. The short-term uncertainty actually stands to benefit the long-term outlook in certain respects. The uncertainties could create buying opportunities with the stock price. In addition, DaVita is better suited than smaller companies to withstand this environment, and may be able to deploy its substantial cash flows to make acquisitions at favorable prices. DaVita is not unique in the fact that 10% of their private patients subsidize the 90% which aren’t, when it comes to dialysis services. Dialysis services are not going anywhere, and they remain a public necessity. Medicare rates can’t continue to go down if commercial rates also are. It’s an essential service. The number of patients needing dialysis worldwide is projected to grow 6-7% annually. The existing market leaders, Fresenius and DaVita, enjoy large cost advantages and benefits of economies of scale which will aid them in maintaining market share. Moving forward DaVita should enjoy higher international growth rates than Fresenius, because DaVita has just begun international expansion and is starting from a smaller base. A recent announcement demonstrates some of the success which is anticipated to continue. The deal is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health. DaVita will be treating 5,000 of the 10,000 dialysis patients under the Ministry’s care. DaVita also happens to be Berkshire Hathaway’s (BRK.A) favorite stock to add to its famed investment portfolio recently. It should be noted that Tim Weschler, who along with Todd Combs is in charge of $14 billion of Berkshire’s investments, is the one buying DaVita, not Buffett. Nevertheless, it represents a tremendous vote of confidence. As Buffett himself has been readily admitting in his shareholder letters, they’ve been generating much higher returns than he has recently. Just recently Berkshire purchased an additional 1.13 million shares, bringing their total to 37.62 million, which is a 17.7% stake. At current prices, that represents over $2.5 billion in value. Berkshire has an agreement in place with DaVita stating that it will not purchase more than 25% of the company. That still currently leaves Berkshire with the ability to purchase a good deal of more shares. Despite DaVita shares being at their all-time high, Berkshire shows no signs of slowing down. DaVita possess many of the traits typical of companies in Berkshire’s portfolio. First and foremost is a high margin of safety. The increase in diabetes and obesity-related conditions will sustain the need for dialysis services for many years to come. DaVita truly is one of the rare companies that are legitimately recession proof. Those in need of dialysis will die without it. It has to be done. That long-term fundamental story remains intact. Additional disclosure: I may initiate a long position in DVA over the next 72 hours.
— Sean Weston, March 21, 2014 www.seekingalpha.com
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 | By Scott | No Comments
From LawyersandSettlements.com
. By Gordon Gibb
DaVita Healthcare Clinics (DaVita) is one of two players in the GranuFlo and NaturaLyte portfolio. The other is Fresenius Medical Care, the manufacturer of the two dialysis products and a competitor with DaVita in the dialysis market. Both operate scores of dialysis clinics and are competing for market share.
DaVita is also the target of a GranuFlo class-action lawsuit for its role in allegedly putting dialysis patients at risk with regard to alkali dosing errors inherent with GranuFlo and NaturaLyte. DaVita, it should be noted, was also the subject of a federal investigation with regard to an alleged doctor kickback scheme – and the firm has also faced allegations of wage improprieties involving its employees.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013 | By Scott | No Comments
ATTENTION:
On June 27, 2012 the FDA recalled the two leading bicarbonate additives used during kidney dialysis since 2003. These products, GranuFlo and Naturalyte, can cause cardiac arrest and stroke in dialysis patients. If you or a loved one are on kidney dialysis and suffered cardiac arrest or stroke after 2003, please call 1-800-279-6996 and fill out the contact form at www.dialysisrecall.com to determine whether you have a claim.
This office is also investigating the stock losses which occurred to the company selling these products: Frenesius Medical Care AG & Co. KGAA (stock symbol: FMS). If you own shares of FMS, please call the same number and fill out the contact form to determine your right to recover your losses.
Please complete a contact form at www.dialysisrecall.com or call 1-800-279-6996 if you need more information and to join the lawsuit.
Joseph R. Santoli, Esq. 340 Devon Court Ridgewood NJ 07450-1810 1-800-279-6996
Wednesday, October 16, 2013 | By Scott | No Comments
Listen to frank discussions with patients, family, Doctors, and Dialysis health care workers about the state of Dialysis in America. Rev. Dr Floyd D. Harris, Jr. is the International President Of The National Network In Action a civil & human rights organization that fights for justice for all people. Dr. Harris is known all over world and speak truth to power.
Visit this BlogTalkRadio site to view Upcoming Broadcasts and Archived Episodes concerning the current situation of Dialysis health care in America.
We encourage patients and family members to stand up for their rights and a better quality of care.
If you haven’t listened to any of these broadcasts live, these interviews have excellent information to help patients, families, and caregivers improve the state of Dialysis care.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013 | By Scott | No Comments
lawyersandsettlements.com September 9, 2013, 01:30:00PM. By Jane Mundy
Laguna Niguel, CA: Sons and daughters of parents believed to have suffered cardiac arrest, stroke, respiratory issues and other health problems linked to the use of GranuFlo and NaturaLyte administered at DaVita Healthcare Centers are now considering a DaVita and Fresenius lawsuit.
Although Henry’s mother died in the hospital from cardiac arrest, he knows she was given GranuFlo during dialysis treatments at a DaVita Center. “My mother started dialysis in 2007, and she went to the DaVita Center three times a week without fail,” says Henry. “She got sick about two weeks before she died and was given hemodialysis at her bedside in the hospital. Her blood pressure went down and she stopped breathing; they put her on a respirator and sent her to ICU where she stayed just a few days. Her doctor called to tell me she had massive brain bleeding and passed away.
Thursday, September 20, 2012 | By Scott | No Comments
If you or a loved one has experienced this contact us. We’ll answer your questions.
The FDA has issued a Class I Recall for GranuFlo and NaturaLyte Dialysis Products manufactured by Fresenius Medical Care. This FDA Action Follows Revelation that Over 900 Patients Suffered Cardiac Arrest at Fresenius Dialysis Clinics in 2010. According to the company, GranuFlo and NaturaLyte are Associated with Elevated Bicarbonate Levels, a Significant Risk Factor for Cardiac Arrest. Other non Fresenius clinics have had similar problems.
Metabolic Alkalosis in ESRD Patients using Granuflo may include:
Twitching
Irregular Heart Beat
Slowed respiration
Cyanosis (bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin from lack of oxygen)
Nausea
Diarrhea
Irritability
Confusion
Rapid Heart Rate
Vomiting
Drop in Blood Pressure
Renal Failure Consequences of Increased Bicarbonate Levels for Patients
Increased bicarbonate levels in the body can lead to a number of potentially serious health issues, such as:
Cardiac Arrhythmia
Hypokalemia (Low blood potassium)
Hypoxemia (Low blood oxygen)
Hypercapnia (Too much carbon dioxide in the blood)
