Fresenius Medical Care launches 6008 CAREsystem, a new hemodialysis therapy system enabling better care for chronic patients

Fresenius Medical Care, the world’s largest provider of dialysis products and services, has launched the 6008 CAREsystem for the treatment of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This new dialysis therapy system incorporates Fresenius Medical Care’s highest therapy standards while optimizing dialysis treatment and improving economic efficiency. Most importantly, it minimizes the number of risk-related handling steps and reduces complexity in therapy delivery.

The 6008 CAREsystem was introduced to specialists at the European Dialysis and Transplantation Association / European Renal Association (EDTA/ERA) conference in Vienna, which ended yesterday.

Dominik Wehner, Fresenius Medical Care’s Chief Executive Officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: "The innovative 6008 CAREsystem is the next step in our Cardioprotective Hemodialysis concept: It offers a streamlined design to deliver advanced dialysis therapy more easily, leaving more time for direct patient care. As a result, more patients can benefit from improved outcomes and a higher level of care quality."

To enable significantly reduced complexity in therapy delivery, Fresenius Medical Care has developed a new, all-in-one disposable with completely pre-connected bloodlines for all treatment modalities.

Dr. Olaf Schermeier, the company’s Chief Executive Officer for Global Research and Development, stated: "Leveraging leading-edge technology, the new 6008 CAREsystem is designed to support physicians and caregivers. The reduction in the number of risk-related handling steps, and in the interactions required during the set-up and disconnection phases, reduce the pressure on staff and create an improved experience for the patient."

The numerous innovations built into the 6008 CAREsystem combine to create an enhanced dialysis therapy that enables better overall care for patients with chronic kidney failure. The 6008 CAREsystem also reduces the volume and weight of generated waste, making it even more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly.

The dialyzer (sometimes described as the "artificial kidney") and the dialysis machine are the two most important products in hemodialysis. While the dialyzer filters the patient’s blood, the dialysis machine pumps it and monitors its circulation outside the body. The machine also maintains the composition of the dialysis solution and introduces anticoagulants into the blood. Dialysis treatments generally last three to six hours, and are usually carried out three times a week.

More than half of all dialysis machines used worldwide are made by Fresenius Medical Care.