by Lisa Schauer
After a two-year buildout, RenViva Dialysis Center of the Eastern Panhandle has opened in Berkeley Springs.
“The construction bids just came in higher here,” said chief development officer Jill Winter, at the grand opening and reception held on Tuesday, June 11.
RenViva owns and operates 16 free-standing dialysis treatment facilities across eight states. The company is not affiliated with any one health system. They contract with all health care providers and insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid.
“We’re here because of Dr. Barmar,” Winter said, referring to nephrologist Babak Barmar, M.D., with offices in Winchester and Martinsburg.
The emphasis at the center is on transitioning patients to home care through education, with two-thirds of their patients receiving treatments at home.
Clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction is higher for home treatment, according to Winter.
“I present it to my patients as the only way to go,” said Dr. Barmar, who trained at UPMC and practiced at the VA Medical Center before opening his own practice.
Part of a new generation of practitioners, Dr. Barmar says younger doctors are more open to prescribing home dialysis.
Additionally, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has set a goal of achieving 50% home dialysis share by 2025.
“Hopefully, a lot more people can have this. Locals won’t have to make that trip,” noted county commissioner Bill Clark at the reception.
Before patients can begin at-home treatment, they must first go through an educational program at the center and remain committed to their own self-care.
Two registered nurses, a dietitian, a social worker, and a biomedical technician are on staff in the 3,000 square-foot facility, which includes four treatment stations, a training room and an isolation room.
A high-tech reverse osmosis machine and two gleaming hemodialysis machines are at the center. Soothing, sage green walls, sunny décor, and a friendly staff provide the high-touch element critical to quality health care delivery.
Chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart and kidney disease can result in a diagnosis for dialysis treatment.
“It’s scary for people,” said Julie Hildebrand, director of nursing at the center, pointing out that she and the rest of the staff are here to help their patients every step of the way.
RenViva Dialysis Center is located at 91 Sugar Hollow Road, next to Georgie’s Mountainside Restaurant, in Berkeley Springs.
RenViva is open five days a week. Anyone interested in more information can call 304-944-7004.
photos by Lisa Schauer
