MERCER ISLAND, Wash., May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Liberty Dialysis ( www.libertydialysis.com ), owner and operator of more than 260 dialysis clinics nationwide, is celebrating its 1,000th patient to participate in its Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) program. Liberty Dialysis is known for its strong commitment to home therapies for End Stage kidney disease patients, making this a particularly special milestone for the company. The 1,000th PD patient was trained in just two weeks, by nephrology specialists at the Liberty affiliate INS Statesville clinic to perform PD treatment independently.

What is PD?Peritoneal dialysis allows End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients to treat themselves at home, work and even while traveling. Like hemodialysis, PD is a way to remove waste products from the blood when the kidneys can no longer perform this function. During PD, a catheter attached to the patient's abdominal lining (peritoneum) delivers fluid (dialysate) to the blood vessels. This fluid flows into and out of the peritoneal space, performing the kidney's function.

PD vs. HemodialysisThe majority of patients with severe chronic kidney disease are treated with hemodialysis, which typically takes place in a hospital or clinic under the supervision of specialized staff, such as nephrology nurses and technicians. In some cases treatment can be performed at home by a patient or caregiver. While PD treatment is not an option for everyone, many patients are candidates for this type of treatment. More ESRD patients are choosing this method for its many benefits, including:

Independence and convenience-PD can be performed by the patient, even overnight while sleeping;

Flexibility-it's easy to maintain a 'regular' work schedule and to travel with PD;

PD is gentle-there are no needles and no blood;

Because PD is performed daily, patients report feeling better overall;

PD patients may be able to use fewer medications and eat a less restrictive diet than they can with hemodialysis;

Second to having a transplant, PD most closely performs like the kidneys' natural function;

Compared with hemodialysis, PD results in a slower decline of residual renal function (RRF).

"Celebrating Liberty Dialysis' 1,000th PD patient is a particularly special milestone for us," stated Ron Sawyer, Chief Operating Officer at Liberty Dialysis. "The commitment to providing home dialysis has always been an important cornerstone of our organization. Everyone at Liberty is committed to making home dialysis an option to more patients."

About Liberty DialysisWith more than 260 dialysis clinics in operation across the U.S., Liberty Dialysis is dedicated to providing outstanding care for patients with kidney disease and a rewarding career experience for its trained caregivers. Liberty has a history of developing clinics in underserved communities in cooperation with local physicians and non-profit organizations. Liberty also forms partnerships with local nephrologists and hospitals to develop and operate these centers. For more information, visit www.libertydialysis.com .

Media Contact:Alia Henson316-619-4245

SOURCE Liberty Dialysis

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