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WITHDRAWN
Recommendation to request a resolution in support of the Dialysis Patient Safety Bill (SB 349).
DISCUSSION
Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for people with kidney failure. Patients generally continue to receive dialysis for life unless they receive a kidney transplant, and without dialysis, the health of a patient with kidney failure will quickly deteriorate. Dialysis treatment is time-consuming and can be dangerous because the patient's blood is slowly drained, filtered to remove toxins, and then returned to the body.
Most dialysis treatment in California is administered at the more than 550 outpatient dialysis clinics which are run by for-profit companies. Current staffing levels in California's dialysis clinics are inadequate to protect patient health and worker safety, potentially leading to unnecessary and avoidable deaths, hospitalizations, infections, and medication errors. Data shows that in 2014, an average of 13 dialysis patients died per clinic, and 1 in 8 of those deaths was due to infections. In addition, kidney disease disproportionately affects the African American and Latino population. African Americans represent 15% of all dialysis patients, but only about 6.5% of the population, while Latinos are almost 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with kidney failure than non-Latinos.
In February 2017, California State Senator Ricardo Lara introduced legislation, The Dialysis Patient Safety Act (SB 349), to improve patient care through longer transition times between patients, safer staffing levels and more frequent clinic inspections. A resolution by the City of Long Beach will show support for health and well-being of all residents.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
[Timing Considerations]
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no significant fiscal impact for this item.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
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[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
REX RICHARDSON
VICE MAYOR, NINTH DISTRICT
ROBERTO URANGA
COUNCILMEMBER, SEVENTH D...
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