Dialyspa Dialysis Spring 2013 Newsletter

SPRING2013

06ISSUE

Changing the Dialysis ExperienceDIALYSPA®

www.Dialyspa.com 2453 South Braeswood, Suite 201 Houston, TX 77030 713-218-6500

Summer will soon be upon us and traveling can very possibly be a viable option for those on dialysis but only with approval from both a primary care physician as well as nephrologist. A summer vacation can be overwhelming for the average adult, yet alone, for those who have compromising health situations. �erefore, it is vital to take some necessary steps to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip!

�e �rst step before the journey is to speak to your social worker as soon as you have speci�c dates in mind for your trip. Never secure dates, make reservations, or purchase tickets before this meeting. During this conversation, your social worker will assist you in locating the clinics nearest you while away from home as well as making sure all proper documentation is sent. (Continued on back page)


Traveling on Dialysis Thank You to

All the Volunteers and Visitors Who

Made the 2013 Houston

Kidney Walk a Huge Success!

Visit our Facebook Page for photos and videos of the

walk!

We are proud to announce Dialyspa’s Employee

of the Quarter

Hot dogs are a classic celebration food but traditional hot dogs, like other processed meats, can be full of phosphorous.

�anks to the generous donation of Kroger at 7747 Kirby, Dialyspa patients and sta� sampled Lightlife’s Smart Dogs in celebration of our �fth anniversary!

�ese ‘veggie’ dogs do not contain any phosphorus unlike their meaty counter parts.

Many agreed the veggies dogs taste better on a grill. Let us know what you think at [email protected]. (Remember to check with your personal dietitian to make sure the foods you eat will help you reach your personal health goals.)

Stefanie Melendez

Thank You, Kroger!

Stefanie Melendez has been with Dialyspa® since October 19th, 2009. She started as the Administrative Assistant for the Dialyspa® Medical Center clinic, then became the Executive Assistant when the corporate o�ce

opened in August 2011. On January 28th 2013, she was promoted to the Manager of Contract Services.

“I feel fortunate to win employee of the quarter and it is truly a privilege.” Stefanie says. “�is

company and the people I work with mean so very much to me. Dialyspa truly is my

home away from home and I love each and every member of our family! �ank you for allowing me to share in this wonderful company and to become a

better me in the process!”

Summer is around the corner, and so are the wonderful local fruits and vegetables. �e renal diet is all about balancing your foods so

you can enjoy what you eat.

I have prepared a low/medium potassium guide of our local Texan goodies. Please remember to use correct portion sizes to help balance your potassium food intake. Most common portion is a half cup. Enjoy these local items:

Texas Summer Fruits and Veggies

Non-Local summer goodies: apricots, blueberries, boysenberries, chilies, cilantro, eggplant, grapes, green beans, huckleberries, limes, marionberries, small nectarine, radish, raspberries, rhubarb, shallots, strawberries.Please ask our dietitian, Shann, if you have any questions.: [email protected]

Fruits blackberries cherries �gplums

Try freezing your fruits for a

refreshing cold item, to tame your summer

thirst.

“Mock”-a-mole1 cup frozen peas, rinsed and defrosted1 small jalepeño, �nely chopped1/3 cup chopped cilantro1/4 cup �nely diced red onionjuice from 1/2 lime1-2 tbs pineapple juiceTo taste:GarlicCuminChili powderPlace defrosted peas in a blender or food processor. Add lime juice. Then add pineapple juice until mixture begins to look like guacamole. Gently stir in other ingredients. Better if refrigerated before serving.

cabbagecarrots celery corncucumber

onionbell peppersyellow squashsweet onion

Vegetables

Do You Love Guacamole? Try This Low Potassium Recipe Sampled at Support Groups


DOOR PRIZES!

2 TV's 40 inch

2 Blu-Ray Players2 DVD Players

DIALYSPA® cordially invites you to an Open House at our newest facility.

We are excited to introduce our Medical Directors:Dr. Shujauddin Bhuriwala

Dr. Amir Memon and Dr. Shahzeb Naqvi

Where:DIALYSPA® Vintage Park102 Vintage Park Blvd.Bldg. L, Suite AHouston, TX 77070

When:May 18, 2013

Time:10:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M.

RSVP:Requested but not [email protected]

FUN!

FOOD!

Open House! Family Day!

Dialyspa® employees and their household are not eligible to win.Must be 18 years old to be eligible.

One prize per person, per household.

[email protected] for more information about educational events.

Events at DIALYSPA®

Follow Dialyspa for Event Updates

May2 Support Group: Vintage Park 6-7 PM6 National Nurses’ Day16 Support Group: Medical Center 6-7 PM18 Family Day: Open House: Vintage Park 10 AM- 3 PM 23 Support Group: Woodlands 6-7 PM

June6 Support Group: Vintage Park 6-7 PM20 Support Group: Medical Center 6-7 PM 27 Support Group: Woodlands 6-7 PM

July 2 Support Group: Vintage Park 6-7 PM**18 Support Group: Medical Center 6-7 PM 25 Support Group: Woodlands 6-7 PM

Monthly Kidney

Support Groups are

free and open to

anyone wanting to

connect with others

interested in

kidney health. Registration is not

necessary. Please call to verify

dates and times, as they

are subject to change.

Open to All

Professional Education

Dialyspa Patients and Sta�


**Due to the July 4th

Holiday, the Vintage

Park Support Group will

meet the �rst

TUESDAY of July.

Traveling on Dialysis (continued from front page)


Consider your choice of travel options. Traveling by air will most likely be more convenient for you, although this is obviously dependent upon how far your �nal destination is. If, however, you are using ground transportation, consider road conditions and the time of the year. Poor weather conditions can not only be stressful but may also prevent you from arriving to the nearest clinic for dialysis. �is can result in very a serious and possibly life threatening situation.

After dates and times have been approved by the clinics you will visit, you will need to address some other important issues. Make sure before leaving to have the name of the dialysis facilities you will visit along with their addresses, phone numbers and preferably a contact person to bring with you.Keep copies of important information in two di�erent places such as on your person and in your luggage. Before leaving town, con�rm with both your facility and those being visited that all needed personal medical records have been sent and received. Make sure all requirements from both clinics have been met.While away, have a few speci�c items with you to aid a more relaxing experience. Blankets, pillows and sleep masks are just a few items that can be overlooked when packing.

Insurance coverage prior to leaving will need to be con�rmed by your social worker. When traveling out of state, di�erent rules and restrictions may apply. Also, research clinics to see whether or not there is a fee for being a guest dialysis patient. Some clinics have been known to charge additional fees that must be paid when services are rendered. It is important to have reserve funds on hand. If, for some reason, you are not able to receive dialysis locally and need to return home unexpectedly, always have emergency travel funds available.Again, there can’t be enough emphasis on how important it is to consult and get full approval from you primary care physician as well as your nephrologist before traveling outside of your local area. After getting the go ahead, follow these few simple precautionary measures to aid in a safe and enjoyable trip!


Travel Tips from a Dialysis Patient

Call ahead to the clinic(s) you

are visiting to confirm chair

times. Bring a phone list.

Carry duplicates of:

prescriptions, eye glass

prescriptions and glasses

Bring all medications.

Place copies of important

items in two locations, such

as your travel bag and

checked luggage, in case

there are unplanned delays

or lost luggage.

Documents

Dialyspa Dialysis Spring 2013 Newsletter