State's First Pediatric Dialysis Center Opens In Hartford

HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut Children's will open the Robert R. Rosenheim Foundation Dialysis Center, the first pediatric outpatient dialysis center in the state of Connecticut. Children now have the opportunity to be dialyzed in their own private room, rather than alongside groups of adults in open and very public treatment rooms.

The timing of the opening is critical during the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a statement from Connecticut Children's.

“We have worked hard to create a spa-like environment,” said Cynthia Silva, MD, Division Head of Nephrology. “The interactive light wall and mountain imagery is an authentic way to pull the patient’s attention away from dialysis. Our hope is that children will focus on the excitement and joy brought about by our unique environment and let go of any anxiety.”

The dialysis center was made possible by a $1.5 million by the Robert R. Rosenheim Foundation. The new center is located on the 4th floor of Connecticut Children’s Hartford campus at 282 Washington St.

The new facility will include four private treatment rooms, each equipped with built in television and seating areas for families as well as color changing lighting, allowing each patient to control his or her own environment. Additional features include light walls, waiting room work stations and a media center.

Connecticut Children’s is also among the first to use the Tablo hemodialysis machine for pediatric-specific care. The self-contained unit is being used for in-center driven dialysis and is less stressful for patients and families.

“We are so grateful to the Robert R. Rosenheim Foundation for their generosity and support in opening the state’s very first outpatient pediatric dialysis center” said Jim Shmerling, President & CEO of Connecticut Children’s. “This new facility will afford families the opportunity to stay close to home for high-quality, life-saving treatments during such a critical time for public health.”