January employment print for dialysis centers was 132,400, a level last reached in 4Q 2022. Finally some good news for the industry that relies heavily on labor to administer, on average, about 1.4 treatments per employee per treatment day.
However, excess mortality among those with kidney disease continues to rage. Data is incomplete for 1Q 2023 but generally, about 60% of mortality is reported initially and matures from there. Mortality for the week 03/15/2023 was 749, suggesting a completed number of 1200 or roughly 200 over pre-pandemic baseline. Of course, mortality may be mitigated by an improved labor environment that normalized operations and improved admissions.
So puts and takes for this beleaguered niche of health care.
Let me know what you think.
Emily Evans
Managing Director – Health Policy
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