DENVER, Sept. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The following media statement is attributed to Dr. Martin Schreiber, vice president, clinical affairs for DaVita Kidney Care.

"Currently, over 180 municipalities in Florida are under a boil water advisory due to Hurricane flooding – and that number could increase. Public health advisories related to the safety of boiled water have been issued stating the potential harm to dialysis patients of using un-boiled water. During a Boil Water Advisory, dialysis patients should avoid any contact with non-boiled water due to the elevated infection risk.

It is unsafe for individuals with a dialysis catheter, whether on in-center hemodialysis, home hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, to bathe in water or clean the dialysis access with non-boiled water when there is a Boil Water Advisory in effect. Doing so puts those patients at significant risk of infection, hospitalizations and even death. We are communicating this widely to public health partners, our patients and physician partners and urge the State of Florida and its municipalities to clearly state the special imperative for dialysis patients with either a central venous or peritoneal dialysis catheter or other types of vascular access to use boiled water for bathing or general hygiene."

"It is recommended that patients check with their local dialysis team and clinical professionals prior to exposing any dialysis-related access to municipal water when under a Boil Water Advisory."

About DaVita Kidney Care
DaVita Kidney Care is a division of DaVita 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 dialysis services in the United States, DaVita Kidney Care treats patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita Kidney Care 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 of June 30, 2017, DaVita Kidney Care operated or provided administrative services at 2,445 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States serving approximately 194,600 patients. The company also operated 217 outpatient dialysis centers located in 11 countries outside the United States. DaVita Kidney Care 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.

Contact Information
Media:
Kate Wilson Stabrawa
720-318-4080
Kate.stabrawa@davita.com

SOURCE DaVita Kidney Care