Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA), a part of the
world's largest dialysis company
Fresenius Medical Care
(
FMS
), recently reported the commercialization of UFComplete, which
is a composite fluid-management setup for victims of congestive
heart failure. This endeavor will be managed by FMCNA's own
employees in conjunction with medical practitioners at each
hospital. It amalgamates less expensive residential monitoring
with ultrafiltration treatment.
Ultrafiltration therapy is able to reduce a patient's surplus
water and salt levels when standard therapy does not yield
results. Under UFComplete, following their discharge from
hospital, patients receive three month's of follow-up care,
including nursing attention on the phone. Medical practitioners
get timely warnings of symptoms of heart failure, which allows
them to intervene speedily. In addition, FMCNA collaborates with
hospital nurses to devise educational programs to promote
exercise, avoidance of salt, etc.
Fresenius is the largest provider of products and services for
patients undergoing dialysis treatment on the planet. The
company's principal competitor in the U.S. is
DaVita Inc.
(
DVA
), which provides dialysis services for patients suffering from
chronic kidney failure or end stage renal disease. Fresenius also
competes with
Baxter International
(
BAX
) in certain niches such as the peritoneal dialysis products.
The company continues to register strong operating results in the
North American as well as overseas markets. The integration of
recent acquisitions is also expected to be accretive to
Fresenius' earnings in the near term. However, the contagion of
economic problems remains a matter of concern. The company has
engaged in cost controlling measures.
Almost five million people in the U.S. are afflicted by chronic
heart failure each year. Surplus fluids may accumulate in the
limbs and organs of patients. Chronic heart failure is a
frequently occurring cause for hospital admission.
The stock currently retains a Zacks #4 Rank, which translates
into a short-term Sell rating.
BAXTER INTL (BAX): Free Stock Analysis Report
DAVITA INC (DVA): Free Stock Analysis Report
FRESENIUS MED (FMS): Free Stock Analysis
Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment
Research