FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the Northwest Iowa Dialysis Center open?
A: The Dialysis Center offers dialysis treatment on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The facility is staffed five days a week.
Q: How many shifts per day are available?
A: We offer two dialysis shifts per day (morning and afternoon).
Q: How many stations does the facility have?
A: The NIDC has six stations with the capacity to expand to eight.
Q: What is the capacity of the NIDC?
A: The NIDC was designed to meet potential needs to expand capacity up to 48 patients.
Q: How is my family physician be involved in the process? Do I need to switch doctors in order to receive treatment at NIDC?
A: The NIDC utilizes an open medical staff format. This allows you to keep your current physician while having your dialysis care administered at the NIDC.
Q: What is a nephrologist? What is their role be the NIDC?
A: A nephrologist is a physician who has been trained in the diagnosis and management of kidney disease, kidney transplantation, therapy of high blood pressure and dialysis. Nephrology is a subspecialty of internal medicine.
Dr. Barry Lankhorst is a nephrologist with Sioux Valley Clinic - Nephrology and serves as the medical director for the NIDC. Dr. Lankhorst is Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Board Certified by the American Board of Nephrology and Board Certified by the American Board of Critical Care Medicine.
Q: How can I become a dialysis patient at NIDC?
A: Contact your family physician to discuss becoming a patient. Your family physician will refer you to a nephrologist. In turn, the nephrologists will be able to assign patients for treatment at the NIDC.
Q: I have a friend(s) that also requires dialysis treatment. Can we receive treatment together?
A: Every attempt is made to ensure patients receive treatment when it is most convenient for them. Schedules are determined on a first come, first serve basis.
Q: What level of technology and care are offered?
A: Because of the unique nature of the NIDC, the same state-of-the-art technology utilized by Sioux Valley Health System for dialysis treatment is also be used at the NIDC. In addition, consistency in the standards of care and quality initiatives have been implemented on a local level at the unit in Hospers.
Q: What if there is an emergency?
A: The dialysis staff at the NIDC is trained to handle emergencies related to the dialysis treatment that will be administered. In addition to the trained staff, the NIDC is only a short distance from both the Northwest Iowa Health Center in Sheldon and the Orange City Area Health System in Orange City - both facilities are partners in the NIDC.
Q: Will insurance pay for my dialysis care?
A: Insurance coverage is dependent on the unique circumstances that surround each case; however, Medicare covers dialysis treatment. Please contact us, for specifics regarding insurance coverage.
Q: When did the Northwest Dialysis Center open?
A: The Northwest Iowa Dialysis Center (NIDC) is opened in the summer of 2006.
