Comparative mortality of hemodialysis patients at for-profit and not-for-profit dialysis facilities in the United States, 1998 to 2003: A retrospective analysis

2008

Comparing Mortality in For-Profit vs Not-For-Profit Dialysis Facilities

Sample size: 205076 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Robert N Foley, Qiao Fan, Jiannong Liu, David T Gilbertson, Eric D Weinhandl, Shu-Cheng Chen, Allan J Collins

Primary Institution: United States Renal Data System

Hypothesis

Is dialysis treatment at for-profit facilities associated with higher mortality compared to not-for-profit facilities?

Conclusion

Mortality rates are similar for patients treated at for-profit and not-for-profit dialysis facilities.

Supporting Evidence

79.9% of patients were treated at for-profit facilities after 6 months of dialysis.
Patients at for-profit facilities had higher clinical benchmark achievements.
The overall crude mortality rate was 25.6 per 100 patient-years.

Takeaway

This study looked at patients on dialysis and found that it doesn't matter if they go to a for-profit or not-for-profit place; they have the same chance of living.

Methodology

The study used a retrospective analysis of Medicare data to compare mortality rates between patients at for-profit and not-for-profit dialysis facilities.