Joseph's Story: The Benefits of Hemodialysis
Joseph recalls being in a “dark place” when he was admitted to Burke Rehabilitation Hospital last fall. After spending two weeks in an acute care hospital battling MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), Joseph’s kidneys failed and his legs were so weak, he could no longer walk. Joseph required intensive post-acute rehabilitation every day and hemodialysis several times a week, and there was only one place in the state where he could receive them in a single location.
“Burke was the only place to go for both rehab and dialysis treatments,” Joseph said. “I’m thankful they had a bed to accommodate me. If I went to another rehab facility, I would have had to be transported somewhere else for dialysis treatments three times a week.”
Since April 2024, Burke has been the first—and only—free-standing rehabilitation hospital in New York to offer on-site hemodialysis capabilities. In the program’s first year, Burke admitted 73 patients requiring hemodialysis. 100% of the patients received their dialysis treatments without transfer or transport delays, with zero patients showing signs or symptoms of central line infections or adverse events during dialysis. Following discharge from Burke, the majority of patients returned home to resume treatments in their local community.
“Following a severe illness, Joseph was very debilitated when he came to Burke,” said Dr. Maria Briones, MD. “After multidisciplinary rehabilitation here, he could dress himself, walk with a walker, and climb steps before being discharged home.”
Aiding his progress was the fact that he could seamlessly weave in his dialysis visits three times a week. “I was in a dark place when I got there, but they had me up and going right away,” Joseph says. “I knew I had to push through to get to the light at the end of the tunnel. The staff helped in every way—the whole team was amazing.”
While the need for hemodialysis is growing nationwide, most Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs) across the country do not offer on-site hemodialysis. Before the introduction of Burke’s program, post-acute patients with kidney or late-stage renal disease otherwise eligible for care via an IRF were instead admitted to facilities offering a less intensive level of care for rehabilitation needs, such as skilled nursing facilities. The introduction of inpatient hemodialysis at Burke means that these patients not only receive life-sustaining hemodialysis treatment but also accelerate their physical and medical rehabilitation.
Joseph, who worked for the Highway Department before leaving on disability, is grateful to the Burke team for helping him get back on his feet and returning home, where he loves to spend time with his nieces and nephews. Says Joseph, “I’m doing good!”
