DENVER, May 28, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --DaVita Inc. (NYSE:DVA), a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), announced today that the company will provide a hurricane hotline (1-800-400-8331) that is activated 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help dialysis patients find open clinics and schedule treatments during emergencies such as hurricanes and other natural disasters.
In conjunction with President Obama's National Hurricane Preparedness Week, the hotline service will be available to kidney patients across the nation, regardless of their dialysis care provider. The hotline information will be provided in more than 20 languages.
"There is nothing more frightening than not knowing where to turn for essential, life-supporting care during an emergency," said Kent Thiry, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DaVita(R). "DaVita is relying on its nationwide network and kidney care community cooperation to ensure patients, local media and emergency service providers have this number to refer to for up-to-the-minute care updates for the duration of the hurricane season."
Kidney failure patients -- who require dialysis treatments three times per week -- are at high risk during natural disasters and weather-related emergencies, such as hurricanes. Dialysis patients depend on life-sustaining treatments most often administered in geographically dispersed outpatient centers across the country. The DaVita hotline is designed to be a reliable emergency resource directing patients to open clinics and helping them to make arrangements for alternative care.
DaVita is a registered trademark of DaVita Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About DaVita Inc.
DaVita Inc., a Fortune 500(R) company, is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, delivering dialysis services and education to patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. As of March 31, 2010, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 1,544 outpatient dialysis facilities, serving approximately 119,000 patients. DaVita develops, participates in and donates to numerous programs dedicated to transforming communities and creating positive, sustainable change for children, families and our environment. The company's leadership development initiatives and corporate social responsibility efforts have been recognized by Fortune,Modern Healthcare, Newsweek and WorldBlu, among others. For more information, please visitwww.davita.com.
SOURCE: DaVita Inc.
DaVita Inc.
Kelsey Rood, 310-536-2404
Kelsey.Rood@davita.com