Dialysis

The End-Stage Renal Disease Program (ESRD) represents a long-standing commitment of the institution to the care of patients whose kidneys have failed. Waldbaum Dialysis Unit, across from North Shore University Hospital and Satellite Dialysis Facility in Queens Village are our two major facilities. Using the latest in computer-controlled dialysis machines, bicarbonate based dialysis and high efficiency treatments, the facilities provide the highest quality care.

We have also been at the forefront of providing home-based dialysis therapies, training interested patients in home hemodialysis (offering bicarbonate dialysis and ultrafiltration controlled treatments), or in various forms of peritoneal dialysis. Patients on peritoneal dialysis have access to several types of technologies, including automated peritoneal dialysis ("the cycler"), depending on the patient's needs.

With its years of experience in caring for the ESRD population, North Shore-LIJ has in place a network of supporting services important to the quality of life of our dialysis patients. Long Island Jewish Medical Center vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists, with specific interests in the needs of our ESRD population, provide superlative services in maintaining dialysis vascular access in our patients. The Department of Psychiatry has had a close relationship with the dialysis program over the years and it continues to provide supportive services to our patient population. Because the dialysis program is incorporated into tertiary care hospitals, we are able to coordinate dialysis visits and diagnostic testing or doctor appointments. The resources of the health system are available to treat a variety of non-renal ailments which require attention.

We have been fortunate in developing over the years a highly dedicated professional team whose goal has been to provide the best dialysis treatments possible to our patients. Our efforts are monitored by our continuous quality improvement process, using benchmarks such as the Standardized Mortality Ratios provided under the auspices of the Health Care Financing Administration, and the outcomes indicators in the areas of dialysis adequacy and anemia reported by the ESRD Network surveys.

We are pleased to report that our survival rates are strikingly better than the average of units in New York State or similarly sized units in the nation. Furthermore, our quality indicators demonstrate that we have been performing better over time. We have in place a continuous performance improvement projects to make us even better. The Division provides supervision over a range of renal replacement modalities needed for the care of inpatients, including continuous and intermittent therapies. Dr. Ilene Miller, John Wagner and Steven Fishbane lead the division in dialysis related care.

Stone Management

The Department of Urology and Division of Kidney Diseases and Hypertension offer patients a multidisciplinary approach to the management of stone disease which includes surgical eradication and reduction of metabolic risk factors. Most stone diseases have metabolic causes. Thus, identifying them and preventing further stones is very important. Dr. Alessandro G. Bellucci and Dr. Michael Gitman are especially interested in managing patients with stone disease.

Transplantation Care

Through the outpatient practice program of the division and the state-of-the-art new transplant center, we offer quality care to patients and their family members wishing to participate in renal transplantation. We maintain excellent relationships with local transplant centers to provide our patients with extraordinary care. Dr. Ernesto Molmenti, our transplant surgeon, has developed an unique outpatient transplant procedure along with Dr.Madhu Bhaskaran. Drs.Kellie Calderon, Mala Sachdeva and Kenar Jhaveri are involved in taking care of donor and recipient transplant patients as well.

Glomerular Disease

In our outpatient clinics, we see a fair amount of patients with glomerular disease. The internationally-recognized research effort directed by Dr. Pravin C. Singhal demonstrates expertise in the care of patients with this condition. Dr. Hitesh Shah and Dr. Kenar Jhaveri also play pivotal roles in the care of our patients.

Clinical Drug Trials

The desire to broaden our knowledge regarding renal disease applies to clinical therapies as well. The division participates in studies involving blood pressure medications and drugs to treat the anemia of kidney disease. When appropriate, we alert the public to the availability of these studies.

Dr. Steven Fishbane is Director of Clinical Trials and Vice President of the North Shore-LIJ Health System for Network Dialysis Services.

Dr. Steven Fishbane along with Dr. Azzour Hazzan lead the division in enrolling patients for these trials.

Speaker's Bureau

The members of the division are available to provide educational talks about kidney disease to appropriate organizations.