Ads by Google Ads by Google

Local legislator’s vision: For private company to establish independent dialysis unit here

Dialysis Service Integrity (DIS) Renal company runs nine dialysis centers in Oahu, Hawai’i, and they are now looking at working with the only Dialysis Unit on island, according to the Chairman of the Health Committee, Vesi Talalelei Fautanu, whose vision is to hand the dialysis unit over to this private company.

 

Responding to Samoa News queries, Vesi pointed out that Pliny I. Arenas, Regional Vice-President of Operations, Hawai’i Region met with some of the House committee members in June, 2015 in Honolulu to discuss ways to establish connections to help support our dialysis system here in American Samoa.

 

Vesi told Samoa News, the meeting was well received by the DIS operational group and “also established a continuity of connections for the committee to communicate in any way possible” to help support our local dialysis unit if and when we need their support.

 

“The goal for this meeting was to find ways to help our local care at LBJ, and expand their operations in resources and supplies for our dialysis patients to achieve the convenience of service to our patients that are traveling from abroad for family and business matters, and of course, a service for our Manu'a patients who had to leave home and find refuge in Tutuila for this terminal care,” Vesi stated.

 

He said DIS has offered to visit the territory to assist and offer any help, and also bring forth private health care to do a courtesy assessment to help the hospital.

 

Vesi said after consensus with the government and the hospital, they will determine if it can happen or not.

 

He also pointed out that if our Medicare and Medicaid can adjust the cost or come up with solutions, this company may decide to set up a clinic with more resources and supplies, while hiring more nurses with dialysis background. The fact still remains that the pre-dialysis numbers have gone up significantly, so that is a concern for our community at large said Vesi.

 

Vest said that, according to his recent correspondence with Arenas, after their meeting, the information was presented to the “Corporate Management Team.” Vesi stated that Arenas would like to proceed as a company and explore the possibility of putting up a dialysis program in American Samoa. He further explained that Mr Arenas’ financial analyst and their Business Development Team are working on the financial model and they will present it to the Health Committee, when they come down for the visit to provide the presentation.

 

Vesi also told Samoa News that Arenas has presented times that he’d like the committee to look at a local realtor that will help the company understand the real estate market. In addition, the company wants to know if American Samoa has programs related to Obama Care; confirmation if the American Samoa Board of Nursing would allow the company to recruit nurses from Asia and what are the requirements. The company is also looking at annual growth rate of End Stage Renal Disease and possible locations for a dialysis clinic and clarification on the budget process when it comes to the government supporting LBJ services.

 

Vesi stated that the company is also seeking advice on how they can apply for a grant to assist us in building the clinic.

 

The DSI Renal company was founded in August 2011, according to the company’s website. DSI is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and is now a leader among mid sized providers in the United States. “Together, with our physician partners, we provide access to state-of-the-art dialysis care for over 7,000 patients suffering with chronic kidney failure and renal disease.”

 

It goes on to say, “We are owned by a broad representation of the company’s senior management team, all of whom have extensive experience in the dialysis industry, and two very successful private equity firms, Frazier Healthcare of Seattle, Washington and New Enterprises Associates based in Menlo Park, California. Both Frazier and NEA have significant track records investing in healthcare service companies.”

 

According to the website, “We are actively growing the company’s National presence through acquisition of new clinics, as well as through establishment of additional joint venture partnerships with leading Nephrologists for clinic, hospital and alternate settings.”