DCR representatives to present health-related quality posters at NKF's 2015 Spring Clinical Meeting

DaVita Clinical Research (DCR), a specialty contract research organization with services spanning the full spectrum of drug and device development and subsidiary of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., today announced that company representatives will present health-related quality posters at National Kidney Foundation's (NKF) 2015 Spring Clinical Meeting (SCM), which takes place March 25-29, 2015 in Dallas.

DaVita Kidney Care, the kidney care division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., and DCR are committed to improving patient care and experience through real-world pilots that may enhance clinical outcomes.

The results shared by DaVita Kidney Care and DCR representatives at NKF SCM highlight innovative clinical quality programs focused on the following:

• Improving the patient experience for individuals on dialysis
• Decreasing hospitalizations, readmissions and other complications associated with missing dialysis treatment
• Empowering patients to actively manage their kidney disease through education

NKF SCM is a platform for the nation's kidney care providers to learn about new developments related to all aspects of nephrology. Over the last several years, DCR has contributed to advancing the practice of nephrology by presenting numerous original research findings at the annual NKF SCM.

"Innovative clinical programs are critical to improving care for complex patient populations like those with kidney disease," said Steven Brunelli, M.D., vice president of health economics and outcomes research for DCR. "The work we present at NKF's Spring Clinical Meeting highlights the benefits of incorporating research methods into the design of pilot programs so that the effectiveness of such programs can be evaluated rigorously and contribute substantively to the practice of evidence based medicine."

Outcomes from the following DCR and DaVita Kidney Care clinical quality initiatives will be shared during the poster session on Thursday, March 26, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.:

• Engaging patients in a social work-based program to help prevent missed dialysis treatments, decrease incidence of depression and increase overall quality of life through the poster "Symptom Targeted Intervention Decreased Missed Treatments In Hemodialysis Patients," presented by Shaun Boyd, LCSW, social worker for DaVita Kidney Care, poster 318

• DCR seeks to advance the future of medicine, the practice of medicine and to innovate through personalized medicine. DCR and DaVita Kidney Care share a dedication to improving the health and quality of life for kidney care patients.