The Medcenter One Tom and Frances Leach Community Dialysis Center opened its doors Monday, and patients were ready at 6:30 a.m. to break in the new chairs.

The new dialysis center, located across from the hospital at 209 N. Seventh St., was built to accommodate the increasing number of patients that need dialysis treatments. Before the grand opening, patients received dialysis in the hospital at a unit with eight stations. The new center has 13 stations plus an additional two stations for overflow or for patients who must be in isolation.

"There's more parking," said Pauline Baker, of Bismarck, in reference to the extra number of stations. Baker, who has scleroderma, has been receiving dialysis treatments for two years and was excited for the new center to open. "It's really nice and a lot brighter in here."

The freestanding clinic is for patients with chronic kidney failure. The center is more accessible for the patients because it has only a few steps and patients don't have to take an elevator to get to the unit. Space and comfort levels also are important to patients receiving dialysis treatments. They come in three times a week and each treatment lasts almost four hours.

Currently there are 41 patients who receive hemodialysis, a form of dialysis, a month.

Wayne Lacher, who had a polycystic kidney, has been driving more than 100 miles from Zeeland for the past 28 months to get his treatments, and he already has a designated chair in the corner of the new center. At each station is a TV for the patients to watch.

"We got bigger TVs, but they could have given us remote controls," Lacher said jokingly.

Initial planning for the dialysis center began in 2000, and the need really became apparent after the number of patients at Medcenter One on dialysis increased by more than 40 percent in 2001.

"We were literally bumping into each other all the time," said Ione Eckroth, nurse manager at the center.

The original estimated cost for the center was $1.2 million, but as construction costs increased the cost rose to $2.1 million. Already $1.7 million has been raised. The largest donation, $300,000, came from the Tom and Frances Leach Foundation.

"We greatly appreciate the community support; they made this a reality for the patients," Eckroth said.

One concern about the freestanding center during the planning process was what would happen in case of an emergency.

Dr. Abel Tello, medical director for the dialysis center, said the center is for stable patients. Unstable patients will receive their dialysis in the hospital.

"It is more convenient for the patients and their sense of well-being is better being in a freestanding center and not with the sicker patients at the hospital," Tello said.

If there is a patient who needs a treatment in the middle of the night or on Sunday, they can receive it at the hospital.

The majority of the patients on dialysis have kidney failure because of diabetes and high blood pressure. More patients with high cholesterol and multiple sclerosis are using the center to remove particles from their bloodstream, and as baby boomers age, the number of kidney failure patients could increase.

"There is plenty of room and we can always add on more shifts to meet the demands," Eckroth said. "We built with the ability to absorb more patients."

During the summer months, the center expects an influx of traveling patients. "These people are tied to a rigid schedule and need their treatments," Tello said.

The center also will work with patients who will be traveling to connect with other dialysis centers to help them.

The dialysis center is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 328-2800.

(Reach reporter Kayla Cogdill at 250-8251 or kayla.cogdill@;bismarcktribune.com.)