Fort Smith Regional Dialysis Center moves, expands

The Fort Smith Regional Dialysis Center (FSRDC) recently completed their move from 1506 Dodson Ave. to a larger facility at 2201 Brooken Hill Drive.

Initially, the number of patients served will remain at 168 per week. After an inspection and review process by the State of Arkansas and Medicare’s End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network Regulatory Agency, services will be added. FSRDC anticipates increasing their operations to serve an additional 108 patients per week— a 64% increase in patients served.

“Moving to our new building was the first step in the expansion process. Next, we await government approval for the increase in patients to be served. Because increased dialysis services will have so much impact on the lives of our patients, we are hopeful that this process will be completed quickly,” Laura Palmer, FSRDC executive director, noted in a statement.

When chronic kidney disease progresses to kidney failure, dialysis is a critical treatment necessary to help replace kidney function. Under the care of a nephrologist (kidney specialist), the patient may undergo one of several treatment options including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. These treatments are generally delivered by specialized medical professionals in a dialysis center, or at home for a limited number of patients.

Palmer said the center will continue to operate six days a week with three four-hour treatment shifts per day. Hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and home dialysis therapy training are all provided at FSRDC by a nursing staff trained in the management of renal dialysis.

The Fort Smith Regional Dialysis Center (FSRDC) was first approved by Medicare in 1977.  Since 1998, the center has been owned by HKC, LLC and Cooper Clinic, P.A.  Dr. Lewis Bruton serves as medical director of the Fort Smith location. Dr. Mike Coleman Jr., is medical director of a satellite dialysis center the FSRDC group also operates in Poteau, Okla.