Education is a key component of kidney care for patients and their families. We offer one-on-one, interactive educational sessions in our Patient Education Center. Patients and their family members connect with one of our nurse practitioners or physician assistants who provide customized kidney disease education and discussion of individual health care needs. Our providers listen and answer questions to support the patient and seek to optimize kidney functioning as much as possible throughout life. Family members, significant others and/or caregivers are welcome and encouraged to attend education sessions with our patients. Please ask your physician, provider or call our office for more information.
Anemia is a common problem in patients with chronic kidney disease. Most patients who develop chronic kidney disease will become anemic at some point and may require a medication called Aranesp. Aranesp is a subcutaneous injection given every 2 weeks or monthly in our office to help the body produce red blood cells. Your physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner will tell you at what point you may need to start Aranesp therapy. Patients are followed closely by the nurses in the clinic and doses are given appropriately based on patients’ hemoglobin levels
If you have any question about anemia or feel that maybe you should be on this medication, please talk to your physician or nurse practitioner regarding this.
Another part of chronic kidney disease care relates to iron levels in the body. Your provider may refer you to our iron clinic in order to maintain iron levels. Our nurses administer a drug called Venofer, to stabilize iron levels in the body through intravenous infusion.
Nephrology Associates of Syracuse, PC began as a two-physician practice in 1978 and has continued to grow. Our practice includes 5 American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) certified Nephrologists, 5 Nurse Practitioners, and 2 Physician Assistants who work collaboratively to meet the needs of our patients.
In order to protect all patients, visitors, staff and providers, all patients who are Covid 19 positive must complete the CDC recommended 5-day isolation period before being scheduled to come into the office for lab or office services and wear a mask in the office if they have recently had Covid or suffering from other respiratory symptoms. Masking is voluntary currently, however highly recommended for those vulnerable to respiratory illness, and those in high-risk populations such as immunosuppressed and dialysis patients.
If medically necessary, telemedicine is still available to provide care to Covid positive patients and those who are ill and isolating currently through December 31, 2024. Usually, most of our patients will need to have a lab slip mailed out or have recent labs available, as based on our provider’s request/determination.