BWH Partners With IHS Dialysis to Offer Premier Kidney Treatment

Li-Li Hsiao, MD, PhD (white coat) with the IHS Dialysis team.

In the hub of Quincy Center, nestled on the second floor of a multi-story office complex, is perhaps one of the most well-kept secrets in dialysis care. Until now. Since fall 2011, BWH, in partnership with IHS Dialysis, has offered Boston-area residents undergoing dialysis, an innovative technology to receive their treatment.

The collaboration between BWH and IHS Dialysis has given outpatients the opportunity to have short daily in-center dialysis, alongside conventional and home dialysis treatments (peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis). According to Li-Li Hsiao, MD, PhD, BWH-IHS Dialysis medical director, the center is the first in Massachusetts to offer short daily in-center dialysis.

"Short daily dialysis is a good modality compared to conventional dialysis," said Hsiao. "For the patient, this modality provides overall better quality of life and is an ideal option, especially for those with severe congestive heart failure."

IHS Dialysis offers outpatients a comfortable, homey  setting to receive dialysis treatment.

Hsiao notes that patients who undergo short daily in-center dialysis compared to conventional dialysis have less blood pressure fluctuation during dialysis and shorter recovery time after dialysis. Short daily in-center dialysis also leads to better clinical outcomes, reduced hospitalization rates, improved blood pressure and decreased number of anti-hypertension medications.

Patients on short daily in-center dialysis visit the center five times a week for treatment, which usually lasts less than three hours. Along with this new technology, the center still offers patients the option of undergoing conventional dialysis, which entails visits three times a week for treatment that usually lasts 3 to 4 hours.

"IHS has had tremendous experiences in taking care of short daily renal dialysis patients for many years," said Hsiao. "Most patients who come here do so because they want to be treated by a Brigham doctor. Brigham carries that kind of clout in the community. We are happy to be a part of this collaboration and hope to extend our services to more patients."

A patient room at IHS Dialysis.