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Baxter: Pioneering Care in Peritoneal Dialysis

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José (Joe) E. Almeida, Chairman, President & CEO
Can you imagine a life without water? Of course no. Likewise, body fluids are vital to maintain normal body functioning. When there is a fluid imbalance, it could lead to reduction in oral fluid intake, the redistribution of fluid in the vascular spaces and a decreased circulating volume. Modern medicine uses intravenous fluid therapy for managing reduced fluid intake by replacing lost fluids. In 1930 Drs. Ralph Falk and Don Baxter launched the Don Baxter Intravenous Products Corporation—the first commercial manufacturer of prepared IV solutions that created ripples in the medical industry. Until then, patients suffered or even surrendered to death due to body fluid imbalance.

Not long after itsinception, the team introduced the TRANSFUSO-VAC container for blood collection and storage—a revolutionary innovation which made blood banking practical and allowed storage for up to 21 days. By the decade’s end, the company was renamed as Baxter Laboratories, Inc. and opened a manufacturing facility in a renovated automobile showroom. Baxter continued its innovations in the medical arena by introducing the PLASMA-VAC container, which for the first time allowed plasma to be separated from whole blood for storage. Baxter also engraved its name as the first U.S. company to make commercially available human plasma following the acquisition of Hyland Laboratories.

"Our strategy remains focused on driving innovation for patients, growth for the business and greater value for our investors"

Under the captainship of José E. Almeida, CEO,Baxter pioneered significant medical innovations that changed healthcare. From the first commercially produced intravenous solutions to today’s leading nutritional, acute, renal and surgical care innovations, Baxter is committed to providing leading healthcare solutions.Every day, millions of patients and caregivers rely on Baxter’s leading portfolio of critical care, hospital and surgical products. For more than 8 decades, Baxter has been operating at the critical intersection where innovations that save and sustain lives meet the healthcare providers that make it happen.The company is also helping medical practitioners expand access to care in different ways by providing technologies and services that support care being performed in different locations and expand practice management efficiencies. “We are well positioned to capture new growth opportunities to further accelerate performance and drive increased value for patients, healthcare providers and investors,” adds Almeida.

Driving Innovation for Patient Care

For more than 60 years, Baxterhasbeen part of the nephrology community and driving the focus on pioneering care in both hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). The team maintains that pioneering spirit today through new therapies like expanded hemodialysis (HDx) and remote patient management.“Our strategy remains focused on driving innovation for patients, growth for the business and greater value for our investors,” notes Almeida.

One of Baxter’s most innovative offering is SHARESOURCE—a solution that allows healthcare providers to securely view their patients’ recently completed home dialysis-related treatment data automatically collected after each session. Healthcare providers can then act on this information by remotely adjusting their patients’ home therapy prescription without requiring them to travel to the clinic. The platform extends healthcare providers’ reach by allowing visibility to home patients’ adherence patterns, which could even facilitate earlier intervention. Patients using an automated PD system with SHARESOURCE can be more confidence in performing their therapy at home, enabling healthcare providers increase in preemptive patient consults and APD prescription adjustments, dramatically reducing the potential for complications that can lead to hospitalization. Their telehealth platform is the only globally available two-way technology that allows remote monitor and therapy management, which includes the ability to change a patient’s prescription setting remotely.

Redefining Renal Care

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an urgent and growing global challenge. According to Baxter, there are as many as 4 million end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients globally, and millions more people go undiagnosed—a situation projected to grow annually. Understanding these growing requirements, Baxter’s team is developing meaningful innovations and services to deliver better outcomes for more patients. In that regards, Baxter introduced AMIA automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) with the SHARESOURCE remote patient management platform— the first and only APD system to that help guide end-stage renal disease patients through home PD therapy, while keeping them remotely connected with their healthcare providers.

Baxter’s commitment to transforming renal care is focused on working to help achieve better outcomes for patients as they sequence through the therapy journey, supporting the highest standards and access to care

Designed to support more patients to administer PD therapy, APD comes with intuitive features including voice guidance, touchscreen control panel and the SHARESOURCE remote patient management platform. AMIA’s compact design enables it to be packed in a car or taken onboard an airplane to conduct therapy when traveling for work or leisure.

The solution’s seamless andmulti-language voice-guided step-by-step instructions guide patients through detailed instructions on setting-up and completing their treatments. Its built-in technical support features assist them as well as provide contact information for further support.

Baxter’s PHOENIX X36 Hemodialysis Delivery System provides high-flux and low-flux hemofiltration,hemodialysis, and ultrafiltration on patients. Featuring real-time Kt/V monitoring through the DIASCAN Monitoring System, full-color touch screen, and compensated blood flow, the PHOENIX X36 Hemodialysis System is designed to help provide effective hemodialysis therapy.

The Advanced Hemodialysis Therapy

HDx enabled by THERANOVA is an improved and innovative dialysis therapy Baxteris pioneering for patients with end-stage renal disease.

The THERANOVA dialyzer features an innovative membrane, offering an expanded hemodialysis therapy (HDx). The solution designed to filter a wider range of molecules from the blood than traditional hemodialysis filters, targets the removal of large middle molecules that may be associated with inflammation and cardiovascular health for end-stage renal disease. THERANOVA’smedium cut-off (MCO) membrane expands the range of solute removed during regular dialysis, while retaining essential proteins at a controlled level. This unique cut-off and retention onset profile allows for filtration closer to that of the natural kidney. Another important aspect that makes it different is that HDx is performed the same way as conventional hemodialysis (HD), does not require generation of replacement fluid and works on standard equipment for operational efficiencies.

Featuring a smooth blood-contacting surface of its thin inner layer or skin, THERANOVA is characterized by hydrophobic/ hydrophilic micro-domains, which may minimize interaction with blood components, resulting in lower protein adsorption.

Committed to Transforming Renal Care

Baxter touches the lives of millions of people around the world every day. Its productsare widely applied throughout leading patient care centers and hospitalsas well as advancing patients’ care in homes. Moreover, it’s the one and only company to offer all three of the most commonly used modern inhaled anesthetics for general anesthesia.

All Baxter products are serviced by Baxter Global Services (BGS) nationwide. BGS has a proven history of offering exceptional service to customers by helping them comply with local, state, and federal guidelines in respect to maintenance of medical devices.

Baxter’s commitment to transforming renal care is focused on working to help achieve better outcomes for patients as they sequence through the therapy journey, supporting the highest standards and access to care.With products available in more than 100 countries, Baxter is building upon the company’s rich heritage of medical breakthroughs to advance the next generation of transformative healthcare innovations.“We are excited to partner with the Administration and healthcare providers to bring the benefits of peritoneal dialysis (PD) to more patients and improve dialysis care overall,” said Almeida. “In support of this effort, we are committed to investing in additional U.S. manufacturing capacity that will bring our industry-leading technology and services to new patients, while also creating jobs for Americans.”

Baxter is expanding its pharmaceuticals portfolio through acquisitions, partnerships, expansions and internal development programs to help increase access to essential medicines and advance pharmacy efficiency. “As the leading innovator and provider of home PD therapy in the U.S. and worldwide, we are excited to expand U.S. patient access to the many benefits of PD and look forward to mobilizing in support of the Initiative as its final parameters take shape in the months ahead,” he concludes.

- Joshua Parker
July 30, 2019