Davita Kidney Care exceeds its own previous immunization rates for dialysis patients, teammates

DaVita Kidney Care, a division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc. (NYSE: DVA) and a leading provider of kidney care services, today announced that the company is a leader in immunizations for kidney care providers and has exceeded its own previous immunization rates for both dialysis patients and teammates.

As of Dec. 31, 2014, DaVita Kidney Care achieved the following:

• Over 92 percent of patients immunized for seasonal influenza
• Over 93 percent of patients immunized for pneumococcal pneumonia
• Over 92 percent of teammates immunized for seasonal influenza

DaVita Kidney Care has historically had an intense focus on infection control and prevention. In 2014, DaVita Kidney Care received an Immunization Excellence Award in the "Healthcare Personnel Campaign" category at the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit.

"High rates of immunization for both dialysis patients and teammates create the 'herd immunity' recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and should result in significant benefits," said David Van Wyck, M.D., vice president of clinical affairs for DaVita Kidney Care. "Achieving high rates of vaccination is consistent with our goal to improve overall quality of life, reduce avoidable hospitalizations and save the taxpayer significant health care costs by focusing on the holistic health needs of patients."

The 2014-2015 flu season is still in full swing and is expanding, according to a recent press release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months old and older. It also cites documented benefits from flu vaccination on its website, including reductions in illnesses, related doctors' visits and missed work or school. Vaccination also helps prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.

"Our focus on world-class outcomes, coupled with our knowledge of the vulnerability of this patient population to infection, results in a long track record of patient and teammate participation in our vaccination program," said Javier Rodriguez, president and CEO of DaVita Kidney Care.