DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 27, 2012-- DaVita Clinical Research® (DCR®), a provider of clinical research services focused on kidney research as well as a multitude of specialty therapeutic populations, today released a recap of its milestone year in 2012.

“DaVita Clinical Research experienced a very strong year in 2012,” said Dr. Mahesh Krishnan, vice president of DaVita Clinical Research. “From expanding our research capabilities to producing innovative studies with results to drive better clinical outcomes, we’re making strides to improve the quality of life for chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease patients around the world.”

Major initiatives and highlights for DCR in 2012 include:

New research facility opened in Colorado – The new facility encompasses 35,000 square feet and is physically connected to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Colo. The 80-bed facility brought more than 50 specialized research jobs to the area and increased DCR’s physical capacity from 42 to 122 beds in North America, including the existing facility in Minnesota. The facility supports high-risk studies and has expanded ability to support both patient and healthy volunteer Phase I clinical studies.

DCR hired four key individuals to ignite the expansion at its latest clinical research facility. The new team members are Dr. Christopher Galloway, medical director; Chad Jaeger, vice president of Clinical Operations; Amy Denvir, director of Operations - Denver; and Michael Kreuter, director of Data Management.

Through this investment, DCR will continue to explore opportunities to both expand its patient-driven leadership position and diversify its ability to conduct critical research in healthy normal volunteers.

Innovative clinical research programs highlighted at industry meetings – Researchers from DCR and DaVita®, the dialysis division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., presented results from a number of innovative clinical improvement programs and health economic studies originating from DaVita and its research partners. The findings were shared at three premier health care meetings in 2012: The National Kidney Foundation Spring Clinical Meeting, the 17th Annual International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research International Meeting, and the American Society of Nephrology’s Kidney Week.

DCR provides a collaborative bridge between DaVita services and the pharmaceutical and biotech research community; DCR also shares DaVita’s dedication to improving the health and well-being of kidney patients.

2012 abstract highlights include the following:

• Video Education Increases Patient Knowledge about Phosphorus Control and is a Preferred Form of Education (Duane Dunn, et al.)
• Improvement in Peritonitis Rates with the Use of Sodium Hypochlorite (Dr. John Moran, et al.)
• Disease Management Program Reduces Overall Medical Costs in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients (Dr.Allen R. Nissenson, et al.)
• Results of a One-Year Assessment of Quality Indicators in an Acute Dialysis Program Operated by a Large Dialysis Provide (Dr. Robert Provenzano, et al.)
• Crit-Line Monitor Use in Incident Hemodialysis Patients Improves Dry Weight and Adequacy, While Reducing Epoetin Alfa Dose: A Propensity Score Matched Study (Scott Sibbel, PhD et al.)
• Extracellular Volume Control in Dialysis Patients To Reduce Hospitalizations (joint study between DaVita, Fresenius Medical Care, and Renal Ventures, LLL; presented by Thomas Parker, M.D., Renal Ventures Management, LLC)
• Analysis of the 2014 Quality Improvement Program Reporting Measures for Calcium Phosphate in Dialysis Patients (Nissenson, et al.)
• Changing Hemoglobin Targets: Effects on Epoetin Alfa, Intravenous Iron, and Iron Storage Measures From 2009–2012 (Bond, et al.)
• A Comparative Analysis of Transfusion Trends between Types of Providers of Dialysis Services Using Medicare Claims Data (Krishnan, et al.)
• Pseudo-Randomization in Retrospective Analysis Using the Generalized Multinomial Logit for Propensity Score Generation
• Odds of Missed Hemodialysis Sessions are Increased During Holiday Periods Among In-Center Hemodialysis Patients
• A Managed Care Cost-Offset Model for Ferric Citrate, an Experimental Phosphate Binder that Can Reduce the Use of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESA) and Intravenous Iron in Hemodialysis Patients with Hyperphosphatemia

Enhanced social media presence – In 2012 DCR re-launched its Facebook page with a new design and focus on clinical research education as well as announcing upcoming studies. DCR also joined the Twitter community as @DCRDenver in 2012, with a focus on its Denver facility and educating potential participants about the clinical trial process. Dr. Galloway also joined Twitter as@ChrisGallowayMD this year; his account launched in November and offers insight to clinical trials as well as general health care news. Dr. Krishnan continues to share a monthly list of his top clinical reads through a DaVita blog, featuring thought-provoking articles from clinical journals and publications as well as respected nephrology blogs.

DaVita, DaVita Clinical Research, DCR and DaVita HealthCare Partners are trademarks or registered trademarks of DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About DaVita

DaVita is the dialysis division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., a Fortune 500® company that, through its operating divisions, provides a variety of health care services to patient populations throughout the United States and abroad. A leading provider of kidney care in the United States, DaVita delivers dialysis services to patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita strives to improve patients’ quality of life by innovating clinical care, and by offering integrated treatment plans, personalized care teams and convenient health-management services. As ofSeptember 30, 2012, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 1,912 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States serving approximately 150,000 patients. The company also operated 24 outpatient dialysis centers located in five countries outside the United States. DaVita supports numerous programs dedicated to creating positive, sustainable change in communities around the world. The company’s leadership development initiatives and social responsibility efforts have been recognized by Fortune, Modern Healthcare, Newsweek and WorldBlu. For more information, please visit DaVita.com.

About DaVita Clinical Research (DCR)

DaVita Clinical Research (DCR), a wholly owned subsidiary of DaVita Healthcare Partners, Inc., is committed to advancing the knowledge and practice of kidney care. DCR brings knowledge, skill and expertise to pharmaceutical research, facilitating the success of its clients’ clinical trials. DCR’s clinical expertise spans the lifecycle of drug development. DCR’s biorepository, Early Clinical Research unit (Phase I-IIa) and Clinical Development network of physicians and investigative sites, data research,Health Economics & Outcomes Research, Central Laboratory, Advisory Committee prep, and Medical Communications are focused on providing world-class clinical research in both complex/specialty populations and therapeutic areas, and especially in CKD and ESRD populations. To learn more about DCR, visit www.davitaclinicalresearch.com.

Source: DaVita

DaVita
Bianca Violante, 303-876-6614
Mobile: 443-417-6044
Bianca.Violante@DaVita.com