Loading...
In the U.S., most dialysis centers are owned by one of two corporations (i.e., Fresenius and Davita), but some are owned by nephrologists. Obviously, nephrologist ownership of dialysis centers creates the potential for conflict of interest (i.e., incentive to maximize income at the expense of patient care). In this cross-sectional study, researchers used the US Renal Data System and evaluated associations between nephrologist ownership of freestanding dialysis centers and clinical outcomes in 252,000 adults (mean age, 66) with fee-for-service Medicare who were receiving dialysis for end-stage renal disease during 2017. About 24,000 patients were treated by nephrologists at their own dialysis facilities.
Treatment by a nephrologist at a dialy…