DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 15, 2009-- DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA), a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), has been recognized in the state of Delaware for reaching the End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network’s patient quality improvement goal for arterial venous fistula (AVF) usage. DaVita® strives to maximize the well-being and health of dialysis patients in Delaware by promoting increased use of fistulas, thereby minimizing the risk of complications.

ESRD Network 4 monitors dialysis facilities in Delaware and recognizes those clinics that have reached or are nearing a target fistula usage rate of 50 percent or greater. The most recent data from Network 4, reflecting results through July 31, 2009, shows that DaVita’s two dialysis facilities inDelaware, both of which are located in Wilmington, consistently surpassed the national target AVF utilization rate of 66 percent. DaVita’s Newport Dialysis Facility is ranked first among Delaware’s 20 dialysis facilities with an AVF use rate of 80.52 percent, which is approximately 23 percent better than the national target of 66 percent. DaVita’s Wilmington Dialysis Facility ranked second in the state with an AVF use rate of 67.57 percent.

The data is also noteworthy because fistula use is one of four key Clinical Performance Measures of Quality established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). With its commitment to following these measures and striving for excellence, DaVita achieves clinical outcomes that are consistently the best or among the best in the industry.

The Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative - or the National Vascular Access Improvement Initiative - is a nationwide campaign to increase the use of AVFs in dialysis patients, which are believed to reduce infections and improve clinical outcomes. The Fistula First initiative was launched July 1, 2003, by the CMS along with the 18 End Stage Renal Disease Networks and the Institute of Healthcare Improvement (IHI).

“At DaVita, our highest priority is optimizing the health care of the approximately 116,000 patients cared for by our professional partners and teammates,” said Allen R. Nissenson, MD, FACP, Chief Medical Officer for DaVita. “We’re pleased that this commitment has once again been validated by CMS’ Fistula First findings.”

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DaVita is a registered trademark of DaVita Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About DaVita Inc.

DaVita Inc., a FORTUNE 500® company, is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, providing dialysis services and education for patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita has been recognized as the only FORTUNE 500® company on WorldBlu’s annual List of Most Democratic Workplaces™. As of June 30, 2009, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 1,493 outpatient dialysis facilities and acute units in approximately 700 hospitals located in 43 states and the District of Columbia, serving approximately 116,000 patients. As part of DaVita’s commitment to building a healthy, caring community, DaVita develops, participates in and donates to numerous programs dedicated to transforming communities and creating positive, sustainable change for children, families and our environment. For more information about DaVita, its kidney education materials and its community programs, please visit www.davita.com.

Source: DaVita Inc.

DaVita Inc.
Craig Handzlik, 310-536-2542
Craig.Handzlik@DaVita.com