One step closer to DIALYSIS
It’s a program that will give End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients a better quality of life, and Patterson Health Center is excited to introduce the nurse that will make dialysis happen.
Lisa Apperson, RN, BSN, CCRN, is a highly skilled clinical nurse who brings extensive experience and management skills to Harper County.
Tell us about yourself.
I am married with 2 grown(ish) children. We have been married for 29 years. I was born and raised in Springfield, Mo. I have been a Registered Nurse for 31 years in May. The majority of that has been in a Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and about six years in Inpatient Dialysis. I’m currently working on my master’s degree in nursing management and leadership.
How did you begin working with dialysis programs?
I worked in Inpatient Dialysis, but had no Outpatient experience. I was headhunted by a recruiter to open an inpatient and outpatient unit in Phillipsburg, Kan. in February of 2023, which I successfully opened. I trained three nurses and a nurse practitioner to take over when I left, as it was an interim position.
Why do you think it’s important for rural areas to have dialysis treatment?
Access to dialysis for rural patients is vital to their quality of life. Imagine spending an hour in the car each way on top of a 4-hour dialysis treatment. Now imagine you don’t drive, or you don’t feel well after treatments, or that you don’t have a support system to help get you to your treatment. Not to mention wear and tear on your car, gas, missed hours at work. It all makes chronic dialysis treatment an unimaginable burden for some patients. Missed treatments are the top reason for hospitalizations in dialysis patients.
What can patients expect when they come in for dialysis?
Patients will be treated 3 times a week, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, for an average of 4-hour treatments each day. They will be greeted by specially trained Registered Nurses who will safely complete their treatment under the direction of Dr. Levi Short, Medical Director. They will be provided with a comfortable chair with TV/internet available for entertainment during the treatment. A comfortable family room is located directly across from the Dialysis Center for family or friends that transport the patient to dialysis.
What do you like to do to make treatment a little more comfortable?
I like to provide my patients with individualized care. I ensure the room is a comfortable temperature. Warm blankets, or a fan, seat cushions, internet, TV, hard candies and ChapStick for patients that experience dry mouth during their treatments. Whatever I can do to make the treatment more tolerable, as I understand the burden it can be.
What must be done before the dialysis center can open?
We have a lot of work to do! I am in the process of writing all of the policies and procedures. I will be working closely with Dr. Short to develop the orders and protocols we will follow. I also must train at least two other Registered Nurses to help treat the patients. Once we acquire the machines, we must install them and conduct weekly and monthly cultures to ensure our water supply is safe for dialysis. Once the machines are ready, we can start running our first patient. Once that is accomplished, we can request a survey from ACHC to become a certified ESRD center, which will allow us to bill Medicare. Any treatments provided prior to certification will be at our cost. We cannot bill Medicare or Private Insurance. Once certification is successfully completed, we can start adding additional patients.
Why are you excited to be at PHC?
Everyone has been so welcoming and friendly! I can tell the entire team is committed to making this project successful. I am so excited to be a part of bringing dialysis care to Harper and surrounding counties! Seeing a patient’s whole demeanor change once they are able to reduce the burden of dialysis treatments is why I’m here! It’s life changing. I’m looking forward to bringing my expertise to Patterson!
DONATIONS STILL BEING ACCEPTED
The dialysis program is a team effort and we are thankful to the Harper County Health Foundation and everyone who has donated to make treatment possible. Donations are still being accepted.
Online: Visit hcohf.org/dialysis-campaign.
In person: Bring a check to Patterson Health Center, 485 N. Kansas Highway 2, and mark the check for the dialysis project. It should be written out to the Harper County Health Foundation
OR Reach out to a Harper County Health Foundation board member.
By mail: Send your donations and suggestions to:
Harper County Health Foundation
485 N KS HWY 2
Anthony, KS 67003