Chronic disease management is a growing demand within the health care industry. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is one chronic condition that requires ongoing treatment and physician care.

Nearly three-fourths of individuals with ESRD are on dialysis care. Patients may need to visit a center anywhere from three to five times per week for the remainder of their lives. Offering dialysis services in the traditional hospital setting can strain health care systems and result in unsatisfactory patient experiences.

Dialysis clinics improve patient experience and outcomes by offering specialized outpatient services for ESRD patients. These centers focus only on end-stage renal care. In addition to dialysis staff, these clinics also hire specialized nutritionists and nurses who can advise patients on how to live a healthy life.

As a result of these advantages, the demand for dialysis centers is growing, making it a promising opportunity for health care executives seeking to expand their health system services.

As of 2020, the American dialysis market was worth more than $25 billion, and this number is expected to rise over the next decade. This is due in part to an increase in ESRD patients and facilitated access to health care as a result of telehealth.

ESRD is a typical complication of diabetes and high blood pressure, two chronic diseases that are currently on the rise. One reason for this is an aging population and an increase in lifestyle-related diseases.

In years past, millions of people in need of dialysis were unable to access treatment due to a lack of insurance or access to specialists. The Affordable Care Act, Medicare expansion, and other factors have increased the number of insured Americans. Additionally, telehealth services have made diagnosis and monitoring more accessible. As a result, more ESRD patients are receiving timely referrals to dialysis centers.

Today, the dialysis center market is dominated by several American and international companies. However, existing hospital systems can leverage their network of physician and patient relationships to develop on-site or linked dialysis centers catering to their ESRD patients.

While the demand for dialysis is increasing, there are ongoing trends that can impact the state of the market. Outpatient dialysis clinics must comply with regulations set by the federal government and local jurisdictions. Should any of these regulations change, adapting to comply with the new standards can be costly.

Further, more than 50 percent of ESRD patients on dialysis pay through Medicaid or other government programs. If these benefits are cut or altered, it could impact the bottom line. Recruiting and retaining specialists can also be difficult, as some areas have a shortage of physicians.

At the same time, the industry is ripe for innovation that can bring considerable benefits to health care systems and patients alike. For example, remote sensors can monitor and transmit patient vital data directly to health care centers. This can improve patient outcomes by offering a more complete picture of the patient’s health.

Renal experts have also noted the importance of an onboarding process for patients entering dialysis for the first time. These transitional care units focus on the psychological effects of starting ESRD treatment and provide additional support while starting treatment. Outpatient centers that offer these specialized units can improve patient outcomes and treatment adherence.