Kidney Care Partners Application Overview

*IMPORTANT NOTICE: Partner applications for 2024 assistance are now open. Applications must be submitted no later than October 30, 2023 to be considered for 2024 support. If you have any questions, please contact Christopher Atwater, Director of Technical Operations, at chris.atwater@bolteam.org.

With assistance from its network of volunteers, financial supporters and partners, Bridge of Life (BOL) provides the equipment, start-up supplies, extensive training, and other services to help establish or assist dialysis clinics. Please see the information below for a complete description of BOL’s dialysis capacity application and mission process. For more information, visit Kidney Care Partners or contact BOLProgram@bolteam.org.

Dialysis Capacity Partner Application Evaluation

BOL focuses on the following criteria for dialysis capacity partner selection:

  • The clinic must serve a population that has few or no options for and cannot afford their dialysis treatment.
  • The clinic must provide proof of demonstrated funding to ensure the long-term sustainability of the clinic. Examples include:  government funding, in-country nonprofit funding, and a combination of paying and non-paying patients.

BOL’s Dialysis Capacity Mission Responsibilities

Financing

BOL will:

  • Supply a template financial model that will help the partner determine future clinic operating costs.
  • Provide a spreadsheet tool which establishes the partner’s baseline operating costs and provides an understanding of ongoing operating costs.
  • Request the partner to provide information in order to predict operating costs and outcomes.

Facility

BOL will:

  • Provide the in-country partner with specifications for facility design specifications including station design, plumbing needs, restroom requirements, dialyzer reuse, and operations flow.
  • Provide the design specifications for and select the water system.
  • Purchase the water system from a reliable vendor that will provide timely and efficient product and follow-up services.
  • Oversee the installation of the water system and provide training to the local clinical and technical staff.
  • Assist the in-country partner in obtaining a maintenance agreement with a third party.
  • Cover the cost of maintenance during the start-up phase for any non-warranty issues.

Shipping

BOL will:

  • Facilitate and cover costs for supplies and equipment shipping from the United States port to the in-country partner port.

Equipment

BOL will:

  • Provide fully refurbished dialysis machines with new parts and boards.
  • Prepare, ship and install machines.
  • Provide preventative maintenance kits for each machine, shipped with the original container. Additional parts that are required for the operation of machines within the start-up phase will be sourced by BOL and provided to the partner.

Supplies

BOL will:

  • Provide select brands and type of supplies based on availability, quality, fit, and cost.
  • Provide and pay for supplies during the start-up phase that are related to patient care and treatment. BOL will not provide or pay for any prescription drugs needed for treatment.
  • If the partner provides or pays for supplies related to patient care for a defined number of treatments (excluding medication), BOL will reimburse the partner as identified in the agreement.

Equipment Training

BOL will:

  • Provide equipment training and maintenance education to a pre-selected partner staff member.
  • Offer support through conference calls after the onsite installation and mission is complete.

Clinical Training

BOL will:

  • Provide formal clinical training.
  • Assess the partner’s current clinicians’ knowledge and develop an education program that will enhance their skill sets.
  • Administer training through a formal program (training lasts approximately two weeks in a classroom setting during the mission).
  • Provide the partner with a follow-up assessment of each staff member once the training is complete.
  • Train new clinical staff members that are hired as part of the clinic expansion/upgrade.
  • Provide additional education to enhance clinician skills during the first two years following the clinic’s establishment.

Other

BOL will:

  • Determine the most effective water reuse method (based on the water system) and timing for process implementation.
  • Provide all training and equipment necessary for the partner to begin the reuse process.
  • Provide access to a U.S. physician as resource for local clinical staff.

Partner Dialysis Capacity Mission Responsibilities

Financing

The partner will:

  • Provide all information necessary to create a financial model which includes operating costs associated with running the dialysis clinic.
  • Provide ongoing management of the dialysis clinic and related operating expenses to ensure that the mutually agreed upon treatment goals will be met or exceeded.

Facility

The partner will:

  • Provide a medical facility that includes complete installation of electrical and plumbing systems in compliance with all national and local laws, regulations, customs, and practices.
  • Comply with design specifications provided by BOL.
  • Provide information regarding the local water source so that the proper system can be selected.
  • Commit to having a nephrologist or appropriate specialist available to support and collaborate with the clinic.

Supplies

The partner will:

  • Purchase all clinic supplies once the start-up phase is complete.
  • Purchase all prescription medications necessary for treatment.

Shipping

The partner will:

  • Assist with customs documentation and paperwork as necessary to receive a duty-free waiver.
  • Import and transport supplies from the port-of-entry to the facility.

Equipment

The partner will:

  • Assign a person to maintain equipment after the clinic is established who will be available for all training while the mission team is on site.
  • Be responsible for all routine maintenance and repairs after the start-up phase.

Training

The partner will:

  • Make necessary staff available for pre-mission web-based training sessions.
  • Ensure clinical staff is on site and available for training throughout mission.

Reporting

The partner will:

  • Provide ongoing monthly results reports to ensure operations are progressing to plan.
  • Communicate with BOL should major problems occur.
  • Provide requested information to BOL such as treatment numbers, success stories and challenges.

STRENGTHEN HEALTHCARE GLOBALLY!