NEWTON, Kan., (July 11, 2025) – NMC Health is proud to announce a new service for people who need kidney dialysis (hemodialysis) while in the hospital. Our new inpatient acute dialysis care will be available starting Monday, July 14, 2025.
NMC Health is partnering with Access Telecare and using the Tablo® Hemodialysis System (a product of Outset Medical, Inc.) to make this happen. This means patients with kidney problems can now receive dialysis right here at NMC Health while being treated for other acute needs.
Better Care Closer to Home
This new service is a big step forward for healthcare in our area. Now, dialysis patients won’t have to travel outside of the area when they need surgery or other hospital care. This makes things easier and better for patients right here in Newton.
Heather Porter, NMC Health Chief Clinical Officer, said, “This new dialysis service shows NMC Health’s commitment to making our community healthier. By bringing this important service closer to home, we’re not only giving better care to our patients, but we’re also helping their families by cutting down on travel. This teamwork proves we want to give the best care that truly fits what our community needs.”
Why Dialysis Matters
Dialysis is the process of removing toxins from the body when someone’s kidneys are no longer flushing them naturally. Missing or putting off dialysis can be very harmful. A person’s body can quickly fill up with toxins and extra fluid. This can lead to many serious problems, such as:
- Too much fluid: When a person’s body swells a lot, it makes it harder to breathe. This puts a lot of stress on one’s heart and lungs, and can even cause heart failure.
- Unbalanced chemicals (electrolytes): Important chemicals in the blood, like potassium, can get too high. This can also lead to very dangerous heart problems.
- Uremia: This is when waste builds up in the body. It can make people feel sick to their stomach, throw up, feel tired, or get confused. It can even cause seizures or a coma.
- Higher chance of getting sick: When waste builds up, the body’s ability to fight off sickness gets weaker. This means patients could get infections more easily, making their time in the hospital even harder.
- Longer hospital stays: Problems from missed dialysis can cause people to have to stay in the hospital longer. This costs more money and slows down their recovery.
How It Works
The partnership with Access Telecare, a leader in specialty telemedicine, gives NMC Health access to board-certified nephrologists. These specialists can remotely consult on patient cases, giving expert guidance and support for complex dialysis needs. Tablo’s advanced technology makes possible the delivery of high-quality, acute dialysis treatments within the hospital setting.
This new service shows that NMC Health is working hard to offer many important health services. People in Harvey County and nearby communities will now get the care they need without traveling great distances.
