DaVita Celebrates Extraordinary 2012

DaVita, a division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.® and a leading provider of kidney care services, released a year-end recap of major milestones and achievements for the company in 2012.

“DaVita’s performance was outstanding in 2012 – from clinical outcomes and patient care to business growth and corporate citizenship”

“DaVita’s performance was outstanding in 2012 – from clinical outcomes and patient care to business growth and corporate citizenship,” said Kent Thiry, chairman and CEO of DaVita HealthCare Partners. Buy Flagyl (Metronidazole) pills online without prescription “Every day, our success relies on the commitment and hard work of more than 40,000 DaVita teammates, and I’m very grateful for their belief in our DaVita community.”
Major initiatives and highlights for DaVita in 2012 included:
Clinical Excellence:

• DaVita Survival Rate Leads Kidney Care Industry – In September, the United States Renal Data System released its 2012 Atlas of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The Atlas covers population and treatment data available in 2010; for that year, DaVita had the lowest standard mortality rate in the industry (along with DCI).¹ According to internal data, in 2011 gross mortality rate at DaVita fell to the lowest level ever, showing a 15% decrease in mortality rate since 2005. This decrease represents thousands of lives saved over a period of years.
• DaVita Clinical Research Presents 13 Abstracts at NKF; 12 Posters at ASN; Seven HEOR Posters at ISPOR- In 2012, researchers from DaVita Clinical Research® (DCR®) and DaVita presented the results from a number of innovative clinical improvement programs and health economic studies originating from DaVita and its research partners. The findings were shared at three premier health care meetings – the National Kidney Foundation Spring Clincal Meeting, the 17^th Annual International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research International Meeting, and American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week. DCR provides a collaborative bridge between DaVita services and the pharmaceutical and biotech research community; DCR also shares DaVita’s dedication to improving the health and well-being of kidney patients.
• DaVita’s CathAway^TM Program Continues to Save Lives - DaVita has made remarkable progress in reducing patient central venous catheter (CVC) rates, a major risk factor for serious infection in kidney patients. In 2008, DaVita established CathAway, the company's seven-step program for reducing the number of hemodialysis patients dialyzing with CVCs. Since the inception of the program, DaVita has witnessed a more than 40 percent reduction in the number of "Day 90+" catheter patients (i.e., those patients who have been dialyzing at DaVita for 90 days or more using a catheter for dialysis access), and the company is now at an all-time low catheter rate of 14.1 percent for this patient population as of November 2012. DaVita leads major dialysis providers in the industry in the use of fistulas, the “gold standard” for dialysis access.
• DaVita Patient Vaccination Rates Top 90% - Two months into the 2012-2013 flu season (as of December 1, 2012), DaVita had vaccinated 91.5% of its patients for influenza and 91.8% of its patients for pneumonia. Vaccinations are critically important for people like kidney patients who are at high risk for complications, helping prevent hospitalizations and even death and supporting quality of life.
• DaVita Launches Social Site NephLink to Connect Nephrologists – DaVita launched NephLink^TM  this year, which is a new online physician community for kidney care. NephLink is designed to allow physicians to discuss difficult patient cases or practice-management issues, share best practices and ideas, and debate the evolving health care landscape. NephLink provides physicians with direct access to their colleagues to engage and collaborate as a group – or one-on-one – with self-service privacy controls. In addition to providing tools to connect and collaborate, NephLink provides access to news, journals, events and resources from many kidney care news syndicates and journal publishers. To register for NephLink.

Patient Service:

• Launch of myDaVita.com – DaVita announced an important update to myDaVita.com to further help dialysis patients manage their health. myDaVita.com is an online patient social networking and virtual support center where dialysis patients can connect with other members of the kidney care community by sharing stories, meeting friends who are going through similar experiences, getting advice, and supporting and inspiring others. Other myDaVita.com resources include the DaVita Diet Helper™, which helps patients navigate nutrition challenges with planned menus and a log to track important nutrients. In the enhanced My Recipes section, patients and caregivers can save and organize favorites from more than 800 kidney-friendly recipes. These online tools allow patients to be proactive about their health, which can lead to improved clinical outcomes and an improved quality of life.
• Launch of Patient Health Portal^TM– In 2012 – in a first among major dialysis providers – DaVita launched the new DaVita Health Portal, allowing patients to securely access their test results and other treatment information. The application is accessible anywhere patients have an Internet connection through a computer, including in DaVita dialysis centers.

Business Growth:

• Merger with HealthCare Partners – On November 1, HealthCare Partners® merged into a subsidiary of DaVita’s parent company. The parent company changed its name to DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc. HealthCare Partners, now one of the two main operating divisions of DaVita HealthCare Partners, has leading operations in the Southern California, Central Florida, Southern Nevada and Northern New Mexico areas. HealthCare Partners takes clinical and economic accountability and management responsibility for nearly all of the healthcare needs of a patient population. This includes the provision of professional services rendered by primary care and specialty physicians as well as the coordination of hospital and other services. DaVita, the other main operating division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., will continue to provide comprehensive services for kidney care patients.
• DaVita Rx® - DaVita Rx is the world’s first and largest full-service pharmacy dedicated to serving the unique needs of kidney patients. In 2012, DaVita Rx expanded their services to help manage patient medications and clinical outcomes. DaVita Rx helps patients improve compliance with their required drug regimens with refill reminders, reviews for possible drug interactions and other services, resulting in healthier patients and improved quality of life.
• International Expansion – As of December, 2012, DaVita had 25 clinics operating in six countries outside the U.S., employing more than 400 teammates. DaVita is managing clinics in China, Singapore and Saudi Arabia, and owns and operates clinics in India and Malaysia.
• New Research Facility Opens in Denver Metro Area – DaVita Clinical Research expanded to Colorado this year, opening a new facility in Lakewood. The new facility encompasses 35,000 square feet and is physically connected to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Colo. The 80-bed facility brought more than fifty specialized research jobs to the area and increased DCR’s physical capacity from 42 to 122 beds in North America. The facility supports high-risk studies and has expanded ability to support both patient and healthy volunteer Phase I clinical studies.
• DaVita Team Moves Into New World HQ Building – This summer, more than 500 DaVita teammates moved into DaVita’s new World Headquarters building at 2000 16^th Street in Denver. The building was designed in collaboration with teammates, for teammates, with sustainability and a positive working experience as top priorities. Over 1,000 teammates had input into various design decisions, from outdoor spaces to workspace setup to the visual reminders of the DaVita story. The building is expected to achieve LEED® Gold certification for the environmental concepts utilized during design and construction. One such design concept incorporated into the building provides 98% of teammates with exposure to direct sunlight from their workspaces. More than 75% of total site construction waste was recycled.

Education, Empowerment, Corporate Citizenship:

• DaVita Kidney Rock Walk^TM – More than 1,200 people participated in the DaVita Kidney Rock™ event in August, helping to raise an estimated $500,000 for Bridge of Life Medical Missions, which brings life-saving dialysis treatments to developing countries by supporting the creation of self-sustaining clinics. Hundreds of attendees also received kidney disease screenings from The Kidney TRUST.
• Tour DaVita ® - DaVita’s annual charity bike ride, Tour DaVita, raised $900,000 to support Bridge of Life-DaVita Medical Missions^TM in 2012. The proceeds from Tour DaVita will help fund nine medical missions taking place in 2013 where Bridge of Life volunteers will be able to install or repair 112 dialysis machines. Through these missions, Bridge of Life will bring dialysis treatment to more than 600 people in communities that otherwise would not have access to this life-sustaining care.
• DaVita HQ Expected to Receive LEED® Gold Rating – DaVita expects to receive LEED® Gold certification of its world headquarters building, designed with environmentally responsible materials and energy efficient systems, from the use of 2850 linear feet of beetle kill wood to water efficiency that saves over 1 million gallons of water each year. Flooring throughout the building is comprised of pre- and post-consumer recycled materials; more than 90% of teammates have direct views to the outdoors; and 100% of permanent teammates receive complimentary RTD EcoPasses. DaVita also diverts more than 85% of materials from landfills through internal composting and recycling efforts. DaVita was also recognized as an “EPA Green Power Partner” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
• DaVita Jumps in Newsweek’s U.S. Green Ranking List – Newsweek’s 2012 U.S. Green Ranking List placed DaVita at number 209, up 33 spots from 2011. Newsweek U.S. Green Rankings highlight the top 500 companies in America for leadership in environmental performance. This is the fourth year Newsweek has compiled its green rankings; DaVita has been ranked each year so far.
• Community Service - 2012 was DaVita’s best year ever for teammate volunteerism through “Village Service Days.” Village Service Days include any community service performed by three or more teammates at or on behalf of DaVita. As of December 15, 2012, DaVita teammates had participated in over 200 Village Service Days, involving more than 7,000 teammates and more than 11,000 hours of service.

Awards
Healthcare excellence
Renal Dietitian of the Year – DaVita dietitian Chhaya Patel was recognized by the National Kidney Foundation.
100 Most Influential People in Health Care – DaVita CEO Kent Thiry was ranked number 12 among the most influential people in U.S. health care by Modern Healthcare.
National Health Information Awards – DaVita’s Kidney Smart campaign was recognized in the consumer decision-making information category.
Corporate culture & operations
World's Most Admired Companies – DaVita was named one of the World’s Most admired companies by Fortune magazine.
Most Democratic Workplaces – DaVita was ranked among the world’s most democratically operated world places by WorldBlu – the only health care company and the only Fortune 500® company so recognized.
50 Top Performing Companies – DaVita was named a top performer by Bloomberg BusinessWeek.
InformationWeek 500 – DaVita was ranked number 176 among the InformationWeek 500 most innovative users of business technology.
Best Places to Work – DaVita was recognized (through teammate surveys) as a top employer in Denver by the Denver Business Journal and the Denver Post.
2013 Training Top 125 – Training Magazine named DaVita a leading organization that excels at employee development.
Healthiest X-Large Employer in Colorado – DaVita was recognized as the healthiest employer in Colorado – x-large business category, by the Denver Business Journal.
Military recruiting
Top 100 Military-Friendly® Employers – DaVita was recognized as a top 100 military- friendly employer by G.I. Jobs.
Most Valuable Employers (MVE) for Military® - DaVita was named a most valuable employer for military personnel by Civilianjobs.com.
Best for Vets – DaVita was recognized by Military Times Edge as a “Best for Vets” employer. DaVita was also included on the list for best employers for reservists.
Military Spouse – DaVita was recognized as a top employer for military spouses by Military Spouse Magazine.
Patriot Award – DaVita supervisor David Blank was recognized with the Department of Defense’s prestigious Patriot Award for his support of military personnel (including reservists).
DaVita, HealthCare Partners, DaVita Clinical Research, DCR, Tour DaVita, DaVita Kidney Rock, DaVita Rx, NephLink, CathAway and DaVita HealthCare Partners are trademarks or registered trademarks of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About DaVita
DaVita is the dialysis division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., a Fortune 500® company that, through its operating divisions, provides a variety of health care services to patient populations throughout the United States and abroad. A leading provider of kidney care in the United States, DaVita delivers dialysis services to patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita strives to improve patients’ quality of life by innovating clinical care, and by offering integrated treatment plans, personalized care teams and convenient health-management services. As of September 30, 2012, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 1,912 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States serving approximately 150,000 patients. The company currently operates 25 outpatient dialysis centers located in six countries outside the United States. DaVita supports numerous programs dedicated to creating positive, sustainable change in communities around the world. The company’s leadership development initiatives and social responsibility efforts have been recognized by Fortune, Modern Healthcare, Newsweek and WorldBlu.

McKesson VITAL Care Management Recognized as a Major Player in the U.S. for Care Management

McKesson Health Solutions, a business unit of McKesson Corporation focused on delivering leading technology solutions to the payer, provider and government markets, today announced that IDC Health Insights named it a “major player” in care management. McKesson Health Solutions has been supporting health plans and states nationwide in implementing successful care management programs for nearly twenty years. Buy Aciphex (Rabeprazole Sodium) pills online without prescription

“We are pleased to be recognized by IDC Health Insights as a major player in the care management industry”

The IDC Health Insights report IDC MarketScape: U.S. Care Management Solutions for Healthcare Payers 2012 Vendor Assessment - A Market in Transition to Health Engagement, Document # HI235803, July 2012, examined the capabilities and strategies of nine leading care management vendors and positioned McKesson Health Solutions as a major player. IDC Health Insights’ assessment of care management vendors represents its opinion on which companies are well positioned today through current capabilities and which are best positioned to gain market share in the coming years.
The IDC Health Insights report commended McKesson Health Solutions for its industry market history and clinical and solution depth; breadth of capabilities and solutions, including health and wellness; evidence-based clinical content; provider, network and payment assets; strong history of providing care management services; and dedicated customer base.
Delivered as McKesson VITAL Care Management, McKesson’s offering is comprised of a platform that includes predictive modeling, segmentation, and utilization, disease and case management workflow; engagement tools such as consumer and provider portals and program communications; nurse advice line and support; and business insight tools and consultants. McKesson VITAL Care Management programs are third-party validated in helping to deliver better health to patients and better business health to payers.
Traditional care management is evolving into a strategic health management solution, and successful vendors are expanding functionality and services in response, according to the IDC Health Insights report. “Health plans need care management solutions with the capacity and flexibility to engage and communicate with consumers and providers, deliver disease and case management initiatives, and provide integrated analytics and outcomes analysis,” said Janice W. Young, Program Director, IDC Health Insights' Payer IT Strategies, and author of the report.
“We are pleased to be recognized by IDC Health Insights as a major player in the care management industry,” said Judy Smythe, senior vice president and general manager, McKesson Health Solutions. “This IDC Health Insights report acknowledges our strong market experience and strategic commitment to deliver care management solutions that are easy to use, interoperable with other solutions, and flexible to changing industry demands.”
About McKesson
McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 14th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to making the business of healthcare run better. We partner with payers, hospitals, physician offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and others across the spectrum of care to build healthier organizations that deliver better care to patients in every setting. McKesson helps its customers improve their financial, operational, and clinical performance with solutions that include pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management, healthcare information technology, and business and clinical services.
About IDC MarketScape
IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

 

French Doctors Close In On Dukan Diet Guru, Dr. Pierre Dukan

The French College of Physicians accuses Dr. Pierre Dukan, the creator of the Dukan diet, of practicing medicine "like a business", which goes against the its code of ethics, and not taking enough care in his proposals of engaging in personal promotion. Dr. Dukan, known as the diet expert of celebrities and Royalty, has become extremely rich after his bestselling book was published twelve years ago and translated into 14 languages. Buy Zyvox pills online without prescription
Dr. Dukan is said to have helped the Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton) get thin enough to fit into her wedding dress, as well as restoring Jennifer Lopez' figure after giving birth.

There is also alarm in medical and non-medical circles in France when Dr. Dukan suggested an anti-obesity test should be introduced to the Baccalaureate exams (equivalent to senior high school in the USA, and A levels in England). Dukan proposes that those with "normal body weights" should be rewarded with extra exam marks. There is concern on what the impact on such a move might be on young girls with tendencies towards eating disorders, or overweight teenage females.

Dr. Dukan, who was a practicing GP (general practitioner, primary care physician), says he discovered his diet when he told a desperate patient, who wanted to lose weight but not stop eating meat, to eat very lean meat and drink plenty of water. Within five days the patient lost 11 pounds (5 kilos) and he says that was when he found his "medical calling". His protein-rich diet was created, and eventually perfected after 20 years, Dukan says.

It is estimated that in France alone, approximately 2 million people follow the Dukan diet. His website has 30,000 subscribers (paying ones). There are dozens of food products with the Dukan Diet label on them - they are available throughout the country in several major retail outlets and pharmacies. Sales are thought to be worth over 100 Euros annually.

The Ordre National des Médecins has reported that several doctors stated that the Dukan diet was a public health hazard. A survey in May, 2011, found that four-fifths of 5,000 Dukan diet followers had put all their lost weight back on within 36 months. According to some French doctors, this kind of body weight fluctuation could raise the risk of developing hypertension, diabetes, and several cardiovascular diseases.

Dr. Dukan dismissed the complaints, saying that such risks already exist in overweight/obese people, and that remaining obese is more dangerous for health.

What is the Dukan diet?

The Dukan diet is a diet based on how primitive humans used to eat; when we were hunter-gatherers. It includes 100 different foods, 72 of which are animal sourced. As long as you stick to those 100 foods, there is no limit on the amount you eat.

The diet has four phases (pillars)

• Attack phase - the aim is to lose weight fast, up to 4.4-6.6 lbs (2-3 kilos) with a few days. Dr. Dukan says it kick-starts the patient's metabolism.


• Cruise phase - 28 vegetables are added to the list of permitted foods. There is no fruit. The aim is to reach target body weight gradually. This phase is supposed to last for 2.2 lbs (1kg) of weight lost per week until target weight is reached.


• Consolidation phase - the aim is to prevent future weight gain. Dieters can eat as much protein and vegetables as they want, and also one piece of low-sugar fruit, one cheese portion, and two slices of whole-grain bread.


• Stabilization phase - the long-term maintenance plan.