NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Dialysis Clinic, Inc., (DCI) is partnering with local nephrology practice groups, the Tennessee Department of Health (TDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve detection of bloodstream infections in hemodialysis patients.

The study, which started in March 2011, aims to compare data in the local nephrology practice office and DCI medical information system to infections identified through intensive public health surveillance of hemodialysis patients conducted by the Tennessee Department of Health.

This study will help determine how well dialysis facilities are identifying bloodstream infections in their patients, including infections that are diagnosed outside of the dialysis facility, in places like hospitals and urgent care centers.

Infection is a leading cause of sickness and is second only to cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death for hemodialysis patients.

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