Kidney Care Partners Application Overview

With assistance from its network of volunteers, financial supporters and partners, Bridge of Life (BOL) provides the equipment, start-up supplies, extensive training, and other services to help establish or assist dialysis clinics. Please see the information below for a complete description of BOL’s dialysis capacity application and mission process. For more information, visit Kidney Care Partners or contact BOLProgram@bolteam.org.

Dialysis Capacity Partner Application Evaluation

BOL focuses on the following criteria for dialysis capacity partner selection:

• The clinic must serve a population that has few or no options for and cannot afford their dialysis treatment.
• The clinic must provide proof of demonstrated funding to ensure the long-term sustainability of the clinic. Examples include:  government funding, in-country nonprofit funding, and a combination of paying and non-paying patients.

BOL’s Dialysis Capacity Mission Responsibilities

Financing

BOL will:

• Supply a template financial model that will help the partner determine future clinic operating costs.
• Provide a spreadsheet tool which establishes the partner’s baseline operating costs and provides an understanding of ongoing operating costs.
• Request the partner to provide information in order to predict operating costs and outcomes.

Facility

BOL will:

• Provide the in-country partner with specifications for facility design specifications including station design, plumbing needs, restroom requirements, dialyzer reuse, and operations flow.
• Provide the design specifications for and select the water system.
• Purchase the water system from a reliable vendor that will provide timely and efficient product and follow-up services.
• Oversee the installation of the water system and provide training to the local clinical and technical staff.
• Assist the in-country partner in obtaining a maintenance agreement with a third party.
• Cover the cost of maintenance during the start-up phase for any non-warranty issues.

Shipping

BOL will:

• Facilitate and cover costs for supplies and equipment shipping from the United States port to the in-country partner port.

Equipment

BOL will:

• Provide fully refurbished dialysis machines with new parts and boards.
• Prepare, ship and install machines.
• Provide preventative maintenance kits for each machine, shipped with the original container. Additional parts that are required for the operation of machines within the start-up phase will be sourced by BOL and provided to the partner.

Supplies

BOL will:

• Provide select brands and type of supplies based on availability, quality, fit, and cost.
• Provide and pay for supplies during the start-up phase that are related to patient care and treatment. BOL will not provide or pay for any prescription drugs needed for treatment.
• If the partner provides or pays for supplies related to patient care for a defined number of treatments (excluding medication), BOL will reimburse the partner as identified in the agreement.

Equipment Training

BOL will:

• Provide equipment training and maintenance education to a pre-selected partner staff member.
• Offer support through conference calls after the onsite installation and mission is complete.

Clinical Training

BOL will:

• Provide formal clinical training.
• Assess the partner’s current clinicians’ knowledge and develop an education program that will enhance their skill sets.
• Administer training through a formal program (training lasts approximately two weeks in a classroom setting during the mission).
• Provide the partner with a follow-up assessment of each staff member once the training is complete.
• Train new clinical staff members that are hired as part of the clinic expansion/upgrade.
• Provide additional education to enhance clinician skills during the first two years following the clinic’s establishment.

Other

BOL will:

• Determine the most effective water reuse method (based on the water system) and timing for process implementation.
• Provide all training and equipment necessary for the partner to begin the reuse process.
• Provide access to a U.S. physician as resource for local clinical staff.

Partner Dialysis Capacity Mission Responsibilities

Financing

The partner will:

• Provide all information necessary to create a financial model which includes operating costs associated with running the dialysis clinic.
• Provide ongoing management of the dialysis clinic and related operating expenses to ensure that the mutually agreed upon treatment goals will be met or exceeded.

Facility

The partner will:

• Provide a medical facility that includes complete installation of electrical and plumbing systems in compliance with all national and local laws, regulations, customs, and practices.
• Comply with design specifications provided by BOL.
• Provide information regarding the local water source so that the proper system can be selected.
• Commit to having a nephrologist or appropriate specialist available to support and collaborate with the clinic.

Supplies

The partner will:

• Purchase all clinic supplies once the start-up phase is complete.
• Purchase all prescription medications necessary for treatment.

Shipping

The partner will:

• Assist with customs documentation and paperwork as necessary to receive a duty-free waiver.
• Import and transport supplies from the port-of-entry to the facility.

Equipment

The partner will:

• Assign a person to maintain equipment after the clinic is established who will be available for all training while the mission team is on site.
• Be responsible for all routine maintenance and repairs after the start-up phase.

Training

The partner will:

• Make necessary staff available for pre-mission web-based training sessions.
• Ensure clinical staff is on site and available for training throughout mission.

Reporting

The partner will:

• Provide ongoing monthly results reports to ensure operations are progressing to plan.
• Communicate with BOL should major problems occur.
• Provide requested information to BOL such as treatment numbers, success stories and challenges.