Lifeline Vascular Access(SM), the nation's leading provider of vascular access management services, announced today that its network of managed vascular access centers has collectively 'touched' a quarter million patients. Physicians with the Lifeline Vascular Access managed center Nephrology Vascular Lab treated the quarter millionth patient in Birmingham, Alabama in January of 2009. This milestone, unparalleled in the vascular access industry, signifies the growing number of patients using Lifeline Vascular Access managed centers as their source for vascular access placement and intervention.

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Lifeline Vascular Access managed centers provide focused, outcome-driven vascular access procedures to patients receiving hemodialysis treatment. Lifeline Vascular Access was created to improve the delivery and coordination of vascular access care to end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Through its innovative management, this area of health care has witnessed significant improvements while maintai an overall success rate of 97 percent, which significantly exceeds industry benchmarks.

Mr. Charles Price, who has lived with ESRD for 33 years, was the quarter millionth encounter recipient. Price who has endured two failed transplants says, "The team's dedication to providing quality care has enabled me to maintain a healthy lifestyle and remain active with my family." Price has been a patient of Dr. Jerry Jackson and Dr. David Tharpe of Nephrology Associates, P.C. since 1977.

"I am grateful to be representing the ESRD population in this significant achievement. With support and stellar care, anything is possible," says Price.

Dr. Jerry Jackson, who has treated Mr. Price for over 30 years says, "Charles is an exemplary patient and we are honored to be part of this milestone, both for our patients and for the field as a whole."

"This unrivaled achievement is evidence of the superior care that our dedicated network of physicians & clinical staff provide," said Richard Nee, Lifeline Vascular Access GM and president. "A quarter million ESRD patients have benefited from the compassionate treatment they received while at one of Lifeline Vascular Access' network of managed centers. Our entire staff has played a roll in this accomplishment and I am thankful to each of them."

Lifeline Vascular Access manages centers in 22 states and Puerto Rico and has received the Gold Seal of Approval™ from the Joint Commission, which is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization's commitment to meeting high healthcare performance standards.

Celebrate this huge milestone by visiting us online at www.LifelineVascularAccess.com or call us at 1-(877)-658-6800.

Lifeline Vascular Access is a trademark of RMS Lifeline, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About Lifeline Vascular Access

Lifeline Vascular Access, previously known as RMS Lifeline, is the nation's leading provider of vascular access management services, working with premier physician practices to develop and manage physician-owned outpatient centers. The centers provide focused, coordinated, outcome-driven vascular access procedures to patients receiving hemodialysis treatment. Lifeline Vascular Access manages centers in 22 states and Puerto Rico, and its affiliated physicians have performed more than a quarter million vascular access procedures. Lifeline Vascular Access has received the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval™ which is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization's commitment to meeting high healthcare performance standards. For more information about Lifeline Vascular Access visit www.LifelineVascularAccess.com or call 1-877-658-6800.

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SOURCE: Lifeline Vascular Access