a kidney screening. (Al Alexio)
When it comes to monitoring one’s own health, many people keep tabs on the basics: weight, blood pressure, an occasional check of the cholesterol level.
But many people fail to realize that it doesn’t take much more than that simple checklist to screen for kidney disease — a fairly common and potentially fatal disease that is detectable in the early stages.
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“Most people don’t know until they’re diagnosed with it,” said Jeff Johnson, vice president of community relations for Beacon Mutual Insurance Co. “By then, the only options are dialysis or kidney transplant.”
Beacon Mutual offered free kidney screenings on April 26 to more than 60 employees at its Warwick headquarters. Beacon — which offered the screenings in conjunction with the National Kidney Foundation’s regional affiliate — is the first company in New England to offer kidney screening to its employees, according to the NKF.
The NKF began offering its Kidney Early Evaluation Program in New England last year. After answering a questionnaire, those that show signs of being at increased risk of kidney disease — through either a history of diabetes, high-blood pressure or who have a familial history of kidney disease — will have their blood pressure and weight checked and blood and urine samples taken.
Results are mailed to participants within a few weeks after the screening.
“If we detect risk of kidney disease early on, we’re able to send them to their primary care doctor, who can suggest ways to improve their health,” said Andrea Savisky, coordinator of NFK’s regional patient and family services program. “And companies get healthier employees.”
Indeed, the early evaluation program offers a preventive measure for companies interested in keeping a lid on health-care costs. “This could make a big difference in saving costs to the overall health-care system,” Johnson said.
Companies interested in a Kidney Early Evaluation Program should call the NKF at (800) 542-4001.
