WILLIAMSTOWN – A measure sponsored by Senators Fred H. Madden and Wayne R. Bryant that would require clinical laboratories to help with early kidney disease detection by monitoring creatinine levels in patients blood was signed into law today by Governor Richard J. Codey at the St. Matthew’s Baptist Church Community Development Center.
“Early detection is the key to ending the scourge of kidney disease,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “Identifying kidney disease in its earliest stages will allow patients to receive the treatment they need to stall the disease and enable them to lead longer, healthier lives.”
“Kidney disease is a silent killer that claims thousands of lives each year,” said Senator Bryant, D-Camden and Gloucester. “Statistics have shown that kidney diseases affects African-Americans disproportionately. This new law, in conjunction with the law to require cultural competency training for physicians, will work to help eliminate the disparities in preventative treatment and help to ensure that all residents receive the medical care they deserve.”
The Senators’ measure, S-2232, requires clinical laboratories to calculate glomerular levels when testing for the presence of kidney disease in patients who have been referred by their primary health care provider. Laboratories will be directed to submit reports including patient glomerular filtration information to the patient’s prescribing physician.
Glomerular filtration is a measure of how well a person’s kidneys filter wastes from the blood. Physicians use the rate numbers to determine how well a patient’s kidneys function. Creatinine is a waste product found in the body as a result of the normal breaking down of muscle cells. Excessively high creatinine levels can indicate the presence of kidney damage or failure.
This measure was unanimously approved by the Senate on June 9.