Article - March 28, 2008 - Elmira Star-Gazette

St. Joseph's to open dialysis unit

St. Joseph's Hospital in Elmira recently received approval from the state Department of Health to build a chronic renal dialysis clinic in St. Joseph's Health Services Building, located on the hospital campus.

The 3,300-square-foot clinic will provide chronic hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, pre-endstate renal dialysis and transplant referrals along with dietary and social work support for chronic dialysis patients.

Two possible locations for the clinic, both in the Health Services Building, are under consideration for the clinic.

Drs. Luis Tapia and Fadi Hijazi, both of AdvantageHealth Medical Services, will be involved with the new clinic's operation.

The cost associated in building the clinic will be approximately $1 million.

Hospital spokesman Denis Sweeney said St. Joseph's is "finalizing the financial mechanisms" for the clinic.

Hospital officials anticipate treating patients in the clinic by fall.

The clinic expects to provide more than 6,200 procedures a year for patients suffering from kidney disease.

The risk factors associated with kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking and obesity, along with certain genetic factors and age.

According to a recent report by the federal Centers for Disease and Prevention, kidney disease is the ninth leading cause of death in this country.

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