NPMC now offers more convenient, comfortable dialysis treatment for patients

National Park Medical Center is now able to treat dialysis patients more comfortably and efficiently through its new Tablo Hemodialysis System.

NPMC offered dialysis services before however it was through a contracted company. With the new Tablo machines patients are treated at the bedside or in various healthcare settings. This portability can enhance flexibility and allows NPMC to offer dialysis services in different locations within the facility.

“Patients appreciate the convenience of receiving treatments at their bedside or in a more comfortable setting within the facility, rather than having to travel to a separate dialysis center,” said Jewell Brigg, ICU Director. “The adoption of Tablo Dialysis machines at NPMC represents a significant advancement in dialysis technology, potentially improving both the quality of care and the patient experience for individuals requiring dialysis treatment.”

These machines provide a better patient experience for those undergoing dialysis treatment through convenience, comfort, efficiency communication which gives them an overall better quality of care.

Because the machines are compact and portable, it creates less strain on the patient because they come to the patient instead of the patient coming to the machine.

They also streamline workflow for healthcare providers, which in turn reduces the time and effort required for dialysis treatments and allowing them to focus more on patient care. Tablo machines offer real-time monitoring and remote connectivity features, allowing healthcare providers to monitor patients' treatments and adjust as needed from a centralized location. This can help improve the efficiency of dialysis care at NPMC by enabling proactive management of patient treatment parameters and early detection of potential issues.

People who suffer from acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease may require dialysis treatment. In hemodialysis, the patient's blood is circulated outside the body through a dialysis machine that acts as an artificial kidney. Because kidney function becomes limited, a dialysis machine is required to filter waste products and excess fluids from the blood.

Hemodialysis begins with a vascular access point, typically joining an artery and a vein, to allow blood to flow out of the body and into the dialysis machine. The blood then flows through a special filter called a dialyzer, which contains tiny hollow fibers. These fibers act as semi-permeable membranes, allowing waste products and excess fluids in the blood to pass through while retaining essential blood components like red blood cells and proteins.

At the same time, a solution called dialysate, which contains electrolytes and other components similar to those found in normal blood plasma, flows in the opposite direction through the dialyzer. This creates a concentration gradient that facilitates the removal of waste products and excess fluids from the blood. After filtration, the "cleaned" blood is returned to the body through another part of the access point.

About National Park Medical Center 

National Park Medical Center is a 163-bed full-service acute care hospital located in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  Our mission is simple: Making Communities Healthier.  We are a part of the LifePoint Health family of hospitals, which means we aim to create a place where people choose to come for healthcare, physicians want to practice, and employees want to work.  Our core values are honesty, integrity & trustworthiness, inclusion, compassion and legal/ethical compliance.  Our hospital’s Joint Commission accreditation powerfully demonstrates our commitment to meeting the highest national standards for quality and safety.