NxStage Enhances Patient Awareness Efforts with Launch of Online Nephrologist Directory To Help Patients Connect with Local System One Prescribers

LAWRENCE, Mass., Nov. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Taking control of your dialysis and finding the information you need about home hemodialysis with the NxStage^® System One^™ just got easier for end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with the launch of the NxStage Find a Doctor directory.  The on-line directory created by NxStage Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXTM), a leading manufacturer of innovative dialysis products, makes it easier for patients to identify a nearby nephrologist with experience caring for home hemodialysis patients using the NxStage System One.  The Find a Doctor directory can be found under the "Home Hemodialysis" tab of NxStage's website.

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Today, the large majority of dialysis patients in the US receive conventional dialysis, which consists of treatment on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday schedule. This conventional in-center schedule leaves a 2-day gap between the last treatment of the preceding week and the first treatment of the following week, during which time toxins and fluids build up and may stress the heart and body.  Recent publications have shown this long gap between treatments is associated with increased patient hospitalization and mortality.

"With such an extensive pool of published data showing that, when compared with conventional thrice-weekly treatments, daily home hemodialysis can lead to improved health, quality of life and survival outcomes, the Find a Doctor Directory is an especially timely resource to encourage dialogue between patients and physicians who are knowledgeable about this treatment, empowering patients to explore all options for their kidney care," said Robert S. Lockridge, Jr., M.D., medical director of the UVA Home Dialysis program. "Dialysis patients should be informed of all treatment options and have access to the treatment that is right for them, including frequent home hemodialysis."

"Many patients and their families have told us that simplifying access to home hemodialysis would be very beneficial," said Jeffrey H. Burbank, Chief Executive Officer, NxStage Medical Inc. "As a patient focused organization, we believe that our new 'Find a Doctor' directory is a convenient tool to help interested patients identify a local nephrologist and pursue more frequent home hemodialysis.  We thank the many nephrologists that have chosen to collaborate with us in this important effort, and we look to continue to expand this in the future."

To search for a nephrologist, users provide their zip code to access a list of doctors within a designated radius, including contact information. With this information, users can reach out directly to the nephrologist's practice to learn more about more frequent home hemodialysis with the System One.  In addition to the Find a Doctor directory, users can also search the Find a Dialysis Center directory to locate a dialysis center offering training for the NxStage System One.

Disclaimer

The Find a Doctor and Find a Dialysis Center directories are not intended as tools for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any physician or center contained therein. The use of either directory by any entity or individual to verify the credentials of listed physicians or center is prohibited. Inclusion in either directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement by NxStage nor does omission in either directory imply NxStage disapproval.

NxStage makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of either directory or the availability of or quality of services provided by any physician or center listed in the directory. Users assume full responsibility for the communications with any physician or center you contact through either directory. NxStage shall in no event be liable to you or to anyone for any decision made or action taken by you in the reliance on information provided in either directory.

About the NxStage System One

The NxStage System One is the first and only truly portable hemodialysis system cleared for home use by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Its simplicity and revolutionary size (just over a foot tall) are intended to allow convenient use in patients' homes and give patients the freedom to travel with their therapy.   When combined with the NxStage Pureflow SL Dialysis Preparation System, patients are able to further simplify, using ordinary tap water to create dialysis fluid on demand.  Unlike conventional hemodialysis systems, the System One requires no special infrastructure to operate. Under the guidance of their physician, patients can use the NxStage System One, with their trained partners, where, how and when it best meets their needs, at home or on vacation.

About NxStage Medical

NxStage Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq:NXTM) is a medical device company, headquartered in Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA, that develops, manufactures and markets innovative systems for the treatment of end-stage renal disease, or ESRD, and acute kidney failure. NxStage is leading the development of the home hemodialysis market in the US with the only portable hemodialysis machine, the System One, cleared for home use by the FDA. For more information on NxStage and its products, please visit the company's website at http://www.nxstage.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this release that are not clearly historical in nature are forward-looking, and the words "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "plan," and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors including those that are discussed in NxStage's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 20011. NxStage is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Media Contacts:

Kristen Sheppard, Esq.
Vice President, Investor Relations
NxStage Medical, Inc.
[email protected]
978-332-5923

SOURCE NxStage Medical, Inc.