Dialysis nurse wants to start a dialysis clinic

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Dear Beth,

I am an RN and I got more than 20 years of bedside nursing experience, I worked med surg unit and ICU for several years, currently I am working as a dialysis nurse in a clinic. now I love to open a dialysis clinic, or home dialysis business. can you kindly advice me how can I start this business. I know a nephrologist, when I shared about my idea he said he can help me. but I need help, how this business runs, who can help me, that kind of many questions I am facing now, can you kindly share your knowledge. thanking you 

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2 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Wants Dialysis Business,

First of all, disclaimer- I am in no way an expert in either dialysis or starting a dialysis center.

This is a very ambitious undertaking.

I do know that when you start a business of this type, there must be a need (roughly translated, customers). Do you know if there is a need for another dialysis site in your area? Find out if your state requires a Certificate of Need (CON) for an additional dialysis center in your community. 

Next look at the existing competition. Have you thought about how you will compete with established companies who currently have huge market share, say, DaVita, or Fresenius? How will you get insurance companies to contract with you and not them? You'll need a marketing plan.

There's a lot of red tape in healthcare. You'll be certified by CMS, surveyed by The Joint Commission, regulated by CLIA, and more. You'll need licensing and permits and have to comply with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

You'll need to lease equipment, rent space, and hire medical and administrative staff. Whatever skills and expertise you and the nephrologist don't have, you'll have to procure and pay for. Think payroll, marketing, human resources, infection prevention, accounting, billing, legal, risk management, IT, laboratory services.

Unless you yourself have a business background, you'll need a strong business partner, and investors. You'll need a business plan to obtain funding, and your business plan needs to show how you are going to turn a profit.

I don't want to rain on your parade, but knowing a nephrologist and working as a dialysis nurse in a clinic only address the clinical side of things.

Take a business course at your local university to learn more about the business side. Consider moving up in management at your current facility to learn more of the business and employee management side of operations.

Learn about ICD 10 codes, and CLIA regulations. Start studying conditions for coverage for  renal facilities. Interview the owner of your facility, if possible.

I hope this was not too discouraging, but there is a lot for you to think about it.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Thank you so much for your detailed reply and information. thank you so much for taking time to reply.I love Beth.

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