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Pictured: The inpatient dialysis staff at Iredell Memorial Hospital

Front row: Tina Jarrett, Debby Hudson, Teresa Wishon
Back row: Steve Kivett, Diana Hamby, Peggie Cook, Carol Zachary

Iredell Memorial Hospital joins the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) in a nationwide celebration honoring nephrology nurses during "Nephrology Nurses Week," September 9-15, 2018.

Nephrology nurses provide lifesaving care to patients with kidney disease each day. To honor their passion and commitment, ANNA has designated the second full week in September each year as Nephrology Nurses Week.

Specially-trained nurses at Iredell Memorial Hospital (IMH) administer hemodialysis to hospital patients under the supervision of a Nephrologist, a physician who specializes in diseases of the kidney. Hemodialysis is the process of cleansing one's blood through the use of a hemodialyzer or "artificial kidney." The first hemodialysis treatment at IMH was administered in 1987. To date, hospital inpatients have received 49,500 hemodialysis treatments at Iredell Memorial. Six of seven IMH dialysis staff members hold a certification in nephrology nursing.

Nephrology nurses use their vision, knowledge, and skills to take action and improve patient outcomes. They make a positive difference in the lives of patients and their families every day. Caring for kidney patients requires nurses to be highly skilled, well-educated and motivated, and nephrology nurses cite the variety and challenges of the specialty as fueling their ongoing passion.