SAN JOSE, Calif.—Satellite Healthcare, one of the nation's first and largest providers of kidney dialysis services and a major sponsor of nephrology research, is pleased to announce that Leslie Wong, MD, vice president of clinical affairs, will lead the Quality Measures and Initiatives panel during the first National Summit on Home Dialysis Policy in Washington, DC, on March 29.

The summit brings together policymakers and delegates from patient groups, industry, and payers to identify opportunities for collaboration to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients on home dialysis.

“As the need for dialysis grows, access to regular home dialysis care that meets quality measures is critical,” Wong said. “Multiple studies in the U.S. and abroad have shown that 40 percent of dialysis patients would choose home dialysis care, yet only 8 percent access it.”

During the day-long series of round table sessions, clinicians, industry, payers, federal officials, and delegates from patient groups will assess four topics impacting local communities:

1. Education, Training, and Implementation Challenges;

2. The Impact of the National Reimbursement System;

3. Quality Measures and Initiatives; and

4. The Innovation Environment.

Dr. Wong will serve as a panel moderator and co-lead a wrap-up session at the end of the summit where federal policymakers and delegates will share insights and conclusions from the day.

Satellite Healthcare is an enthusiastic proponent of home dialysis as it can enable more productive and independent living for patients. The first Satellite WellBound center opened in 2003 with the aim of introducing more patients to home dialysis. Today, 1,000 Satellite WellBound patients participate in home dialysis care, which comprises 23 percent of its patients. Studies show that home dialysis patients generally live longer, benefit from better overall health, and enjoy a higher quality of life than patients on other methods of dialysis.

Satellite Healthcare is a sponsor of the first National Summit on Home Dialysis Policy. For more information about Satellite WellBound and its mission to educate and empower kidney patients to lead a more independent and healthier life, please visit http://www.SatelliteHealth.com.

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