It's been three years since
Kalkaska Memorial Health Center started offering dialysis to its patients, but the response has been strong and well received by the community.
Since opening its doors, the 5,500-square-foot state-of-the-art dialysis facility has continued to grow and address the needs of the area's dialysis community, as well as those of vacationers who arrive to enjoy the lakes and scenery.
"If someone visits our unit today, they will find it remains clean and beautiful. We have a great staff who look at our patients as part of our extended family," says Janine Diebel, R.N., Director of Dialysis Services.
Over the past three years, the KMHC Dialysis Center has expanded hours to meet the needs of its current 37 patients. The facility is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. It initially started as a three-day a week operation.
Dialysis requires patients to spend three to four hours three times a week being treated. The KMHC Dialysis Center can accommodate 12 patients at a time.
Hospital Administrator Jim Austin says the decision to build the facility has proven to be extremely positive for the community.
"This is something that our board initially saw as a way to help area residents who need dialysis stay close to home, especially this time of the year when roads are difficult to travel," he says. "We continue to be very pleased with facility operations and look forward to continued service in the years to come."
Writer: Sam EgglestonSource: Jim Austin, Kelkaska Memorial Health Center
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