Medical Reports: Kidney Spa

WSVN -- For these patients with late stage of kidney disease, time has become precious. Not only are they waiting for a transplant, but several days a week they sit for hours hooked up to a dialysis machine.

Ariel Martinez: "It's very grueling. I spend about 10 hours a week in dialysis."

Latoyia Covington: "It's three hours I could spend with my kids, three more hours at work."

Even though they know dialysis is a life-saving treatment, most dread going because the clinics are a constant reminder that they're sick.

Latoyia Covington: "I felt myself being heavy weighed down."

Ariel Martinez: "Too crowded, too noisy, very bright. I saw it as a center where I go for treatment."

Nephrologist Mauricio Cuellar noticed the negative effects dialysis had on patients during his medical training.

Dr. Mauricio Cuellar: " Many of them get depressed or frustrated because they have to go a place that looks like a hospital."

So after graduation he started designing the Kidney Spa. It took years but it's now open in Northwest Miami. Just like a spa, there's soft lighting, soothing music and each patient gets a hand massage before treatment.

Patients can then relax in comfy over-sized chairs while getting dialysis.

Ariel Martinez: "This place I love it. It's more like a spa. It's very relaxing. You can simply fall asleep and it's time to go."

Latoyia Covington: "I can cut off my light, it's just for me, it's my spot."

Each dialysis station has a flat screen TV loaded with concerts and movies. You can even learn another language giving patients the chance to be productive with their time.

Dr. Mauricio Cuellar: "They have a different experience of dialysis. Now they don't miss their treatments, they come on a timely manner."

It's made the waiting game a little easier and now many of the patients can't wait to get there.

Latoyia Covington: "When I get off work I'm rushing to get here because I can relax, I can take some time off, I can work on my computer."

Diana Diaz: "Dr. Cuellar says patients are still getting top-notch medical care. The Kidney Spa is covered by most insurances."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Kidney Spa
219 N.W. 12th Avenue, Suite C4
Miami, Florida, 33128
305-329-2900
www.kidneySPA.com