Palatine approves dialysis center

Despite earlier reservations that a dialysis center would put a potential strain on one of Palatine's four fire stations, the village council Monday unanimously approved plans for the business.

Fresenius Medical Care will offer end-care renal disease dialysis services in the building formerly occupied by Hollywood Video in the Deer Grove Center at 691 E. Dundee Road.

Initially, the project faced opposition from both staff and a few councilmen when first discussed last month. But both Village Manager Reid Ottesen and Fire Chief Bob Falardeau Monday said they were satisfied that the public's welfare wouldn't be put at risk based on certain assurances from the petitioner.

"I think this is something we can make work," Ottesen said.

The controversy stemmed from concerns over the inevitable calls the Palatine Fire Department will receive from the dialysis center. In the event of a medical emergency, crews from Station 82 on Hicks Road would respond. But with 1,430 service calls last year, that station is the busiest of Palatine's four firehouses by 379 calls.

Palatine staff members found paramedics were needed at similar dialysis centers in Hoffman Estates and Rolling Meadows a total of 20 and 17 times last year, respectively. Through mid-August 2010, Rolling Meadows already had 22 calls.

Just as concerning to the staff as the frequency of the calls is their length: Rolling Meadows crews spent an average of 77 minutes on each call. Chief Falardeau said that's because the dialysis centers have medical staff on-site and require paramedics' assistance only for more critical situations.

"It has a tendency to use a lot of our resources for an extended period of time," Falardeau said last month.

Palatine's demand for dialysis services is only going to grow, said Brian Brandenburg, Fresenius regional vice president. Currently, 56 Palatine residents utilize a dialysis center, and 69 more will require dialysis within 18 months, he said.

It's important to minimize transit time, Brandenburg said, because patients already have to come in for treatment three times a week for about 31/2 hours each session.

Fresenius assured the village it would limit its dialysis stations to 12 and also provide thorough medical information to responding paramedics to expedite calls.

One resident chastised the council for such lengthy debate over a needed dialysis center, saying bars wanting to offer cage fighting get less grief.