October 13, 2009
Fresenius Medical Care introduces programme for improved PD therapy
Fresenius Medical Care, the world's largest provider of dialysis products and services, has launched a new therapy programme for peritoneal dialysis (PD). ‘P3', the first comprehensive PD care concept of its kind, was introduced at the 9th European Peritoneal Dialysis Meeting "EuroPD" in Strasbourg, France this week.
In contrast to the mere provision of individual products and services, ‘P3' for the first time provides PD therapy as an integrated care programme, incorporating all aspects of treatment, from the PD machine, or "cycler", and related equipment to special software and services for the monitoring of treatment safety and quality. With this holistic approach, ‘P3' aims to support physicians and nurses in adjusting treatment even more closely to a patient's individual needs – improving the overall quality of PD therapy.
This aim is reflected in the programme's name: ‘P3' stands for ‘Protect', ‘Preserve' and ‘Prolong'. ‘Protect' refers to Fresenius Medical Care's portfolio of PD cyclers and equipment, which include special safety features such as automatic bag connection and highly intuitive, easy-to-understand design. Such elements offer advanced protection from infections as well as from incorrect handling, which is especially important as many patients undergo treatment at home. ‘Preserve' alludes to the Company's PD fluids, which, due to their physiological pH and low amount of glucose degradation products, contribute particularly well to the preservation of a patient's peritoneal membrane and residual renal functions. ‘Prolong', finally, refers to the aim of ‘P3' to prolong high-quality treatment outcomes, for example through complementary therapies for the control of a patient's body fluid balance or special monitoring software to individually adjust and optimize a patient's treatment parameters.
"It is Fresenius Medical Care's mission to deliver excellent care to patients through innovative programs, the latest technology, continuous improvement and a focus on superior customer service. ‘P3' is a further step on this mission, helping our PD patients to be more successful on dialysis so they can live their lives to the fullest", says Dr. Teresa Portela, Marketing Director Home Therapies at Fresenius Medical Care.
In peritoneal dialysis, or PD, the patient's peritoneum is used as the dialyzing membrane. A sterile dialysis solution is introduced and discharged through a catheter that has been surgically implanted into the patient's abdominal cavity. The solution removes toxins along with excess water. The patient administers the treatments several times a day or during the night supported by a machine, the cycler.
Fresenius Medical Care is the world's largest integrated provider of products and services for individuals undergoing dialysis because of chronic kidney failure, a condition that affects more than 1,770,000 individuals worldwide. Through its network of 2,471 dialysis clinics in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa, Fresenius Medical Care provides dialysis treatment to 190,081 patients around the globe. Fresenius Medical Care is also the world's leading provider of dialysis products such as hemodialysis machines, dialyzers and related disposable products. Fresenius Medical Care is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FME, FME3) and the New York Stock Exchange (FMS, FMS/P).
For more information about Fresenius Medical Care visit the Company's website at www.fmc-ag.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, including changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, regulatory reforms, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.