Akoum

 

HERMISTON — Good Shepherd Health Care System on Tuesday, March 12, announced dialysis treatment is available as a new service to patients and providers in the region. The Hermiston hospital reported it has equipped its Critical Care Unit and Emergency Department to provide dialysis treatment, and has plans for future expansion.

“We are very excited to now offer inpatient dialysis treatment right here on campus for our patients,” according to Good Shepherd’s President and CEO Art Mathisen. “Our nephrologist, Dr. Fadi Akoum, and our entire treatment team are totally committed to providing high-quality kidney and dialysis care for patients throughout our region.”

Inpatient dialysis is a critical and life-saving treatment that historically has not been available in this area. Local hospitals often transferred patients long distances to facilities providing inpatient dialysis, which can be a significant hardship for patients and families to travel.

“This is a great leap forward for kidney care in our region,” Akoum said in the press release. “We will be able to provide uninterrupted dialysis care for the patients who need it, helping them to stay near their loved ones while being cared for.”

“Now that GSHCS has this service, we will not only be able to take care of our local patients, but also begin accepting patients from other hospitals in our region that don’t have this life-saving treatment,” Mathisen added.

Dialysis treatment artificially performs the functions of the kidneys, such as filtering waste products and excess fluids from the blood. This helps maintain a balance of essential substances in the body and manage conditions related to impaired kidney function.

Good Shepherd’s Nephrology Clinic is at 600 NW 11th St., Suite E-10, in Hermiston. To schedule an appointment with Akoum, call 541-667-3661. To learn more about nephrology (kidney care) and dialysis services, visit www.gshealth.org/nephrology.