DaVita Inc. announced today that it has agreed to a request from the US Dept of Health and Human Services to use www.DialysisFinder.com to help Hurricane Katrina evacuees find dialysis centers.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020729/DAVITALOGO )

According to a government spokesperson, dialysis patients represent a significant number of those evacuated from New Orleans who need ongoing medical care when they are relocated. So far, evacuees have been moved to at least 20 states by the government; many more traveled to family and friends on their own.

Stated DaVita CEO Kent Thiry, "We welcome the opportunity to be a resource for Hurricane Katrina." DaVita monitors its websites 24/7 and has a support network infrastructure to ensure timely notifications if servers are down and websites are not responding.

DaVita also encourages patients and their families to call DaVita's Guest Services Hotline at 800-400-8331 for more information about dialysis services.

DaVita is a leading provider of dialysis services for patients suffering from chronic kidney failure. DaVita operates and provides administrative services to kidney dialysis centers and home peritoneal dialysis programs domestically in 37 states, as well as Washington, D.C. As of June 30, 2005, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 706 outpatient centers serving approximately 57,200 patients.

SOURCE: DaVita Inc.