OGDENSBURG -- The Dr. Ravinder N. Agarwal Renal Center at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center received positive reviews, following a recent audit of care.

Annual reviews are made for all renal service providers as mandated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversees the all renal patients.

The review establishes the Agarwal Renal Center as a top performer compared to other centers in New York State and nationwide.

Medicare reported that the Agarwal Renal Center has a superior patient survival outcomes compared to the national average.

In addition, the Center performed favorably in other areas, which include adequacy of dialysis, infection rate, anemia management, hospitalization rate, length of hospital stay and transplantation rate.

“This review represents a long-term effort by dedicated care providers who are committed to give the best possible care,” Agarwal Renal Center Medical Director Michael Seidman, said. “We treat many transient patients from other centers while they are vacationing in the area and they always have a good experience at our Renal Center.”

Nephrologist Manasvi Jaitly who also cares for patients at the Agarwal Renal Center, said teamwork is a key to success.

"Our nurses, technicians, social workers, dietitians and physicians make it possible for our Renal Center to reach these great numbers,” Jaitly said.

Director of the Agarwal Renal Center, Rich Pandel, RN, said success in patient care is directly attributed to the multidisciplinary team.

"Each patient at our Renal Center has a care plan developed, which ensures their needs are addressed," he said. “The competence and dedication of our physicians and staff help to create a comfortable, supportive environment for our patients.”

Dialysis services began at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in 1968. In 1999, a freestanding dialysis center was opened next to the Medical Center. The twenty-four-station Dr. Ravinder N. Agarwal Renal Center provides services to patients from across the North Country and transients visiting the area.

Treatment at the Renal Center involves more than just dialysis. The staff considers the whole person and provides an individualized approach to care. The Renal Center staff, along with the physicians, work together to make sure that patients have expert attention to all their healthcare needs. Our physicians are on site and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information about the Agarwal Renal Center, visit us on the web at www.claxtonhepburn.org