DENVER, May 11, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA), a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), today announced the company's recent investment in DaVita LabsSM, the diagnostic laboratory servicing both dialysis organizations and physician practices.

The investment was applied to drive quality improvement measures across all DaVita Labs facilities, information technology (IT) and instrumentation. Over the last three years, DaVita(R) has had a strategic focus on DaVita Labs, investing in state-of-the-art capital equipment, infrastructure and laboratory expansion/remodeling. The investment was placed in DaVita Labs to ensure continuous delivery of customized care and satisfaction to its patients.

Finalizing a full "face-lift" since 2008, DaVita Labs has updated the following major laboratory analytical systems:

• Immunoassay Instrumentation
• Auto Chemistry Analyzers
• Mass Spectrophotometer
• Blood Culture System
• Vitamin D Analytical Instrumentation
• Microbial Identification and Susceptibility Test System

DaVita Labs also has invested in technology such as: centrifuges, auto samplers, slide strainers, incubators, biosafety cabinets and decappers. DaVita's investment assisted in expanding and remodeling the laboratory, adding significant space to help facilitate future service expansion. In addition, extensive investment in its Falcon LabTM software application has resulted in the latest release, which includes an industry-leading report package.

"It is evident through this significant investment that DaVita is truly committed to the laboratory and its expansion," stated DaVita Labs Vice President, Commercial Development, Kevin J. Goudreau. "We look forward to utilizing these investments to provide high quality labs services to dialysis organizations and physician practices nationwide beyond the 120,000 patients we currently serve."

DaVita Labs now has 86,700 square feet dedicated to its state-of-the-art clinical diagnostic laboratories between its two locations in Ft. Lauderdale and Deland, Florida. The laboratories feature the latest in renal-specific methodology and technology for delivering quality test results. The DaVita Labs clinical laboratory team is led by experienced scientists and pathologists, and receives formal guidance from top nephrologists in the industry.

DaVita and DaVita Labs are trademarks or registered trademarks of DaVita, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About DaVita Labs

DaVita Labs provides quality, on-time, accurate results to help effectively identify and manage kidney patients across the nation. As a cutting-edge chronic kidney disease (CKD) specialty laboratory, DaVita Labs features the latest in end stage renal disease-specific methodology and technology for delivering quality dialysis test results. DaVita Labs is fully accredited by the federal and state governmental agencies and the College of American Pathologists. For more information, please visithttp://www.dvalab.com/ or call 877.200.3181.

About DaVita

DaVita Inc., a Fortune 500(R) company, is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, delivering dialysis services and education to patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. As of March 31, 2011, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 1,642 dialysis facilities, serving approximately 128,000 patients. DaVita develops, participates in and donates to numerous programs dedicated to transforming communities and creating positive, sustainable change for children, families and our environment. The company's leadership development initiatives and corporate social responsibility efforts have been recognized by Fortune, Modern Healthcare,Newsweek and WorldBlu, among others. For more information, please visit www.davita.com.

SOURCE: DaVita Inc.

DaVita Inc.
Media:
Vince Hancock, 303-405-2272
Vince.hancock@davita.com