Coral Harbor Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Neptune City, a Marquis Health Services member, has earned peritoneal dialysis licensing – enabling a key enhancement to its chronic kidney disease (CKD) management program. Coral Harbor is one of the few skilled nursing facilities in the New Jersey shore region approved by the New Jersey Department of Health to administer this cutting-edge, in-home treatment program. 

“Approximately 30 million people in the U.S. – roughly 15 percent of the adult population – have CKD,” noted Pam Montemurno, Coral Harbor’s director of physician relations, citing a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistic. “For those living with end-stage kidney disease, peritoneal dialysis offers a greater quality of life and independence. Patients can self-administer this form of dialysis in the comfort of home rather than traveling to a hemodialysis facility for ‘traditional’ – and more time-consuming – dialysis treatments. This is such an exciting addition for us and one that will greatly benefit our regional community.”

Coral Harbor’s specialized CKD management program already is well established. For many years, the facility’s clinical team has worked in partnership with board-certified nephrologists to provide specialized care and services to patients with CKD and related diagnoses. The program aims to preserve kidney function and prevent further decline through a balance of treatment and education. This includes protocols to reduce symptoms, decrease disability, increase quality of life and promote independence

Monthly CKD Support Group is Open to the Public

As a central component of its CKD management program, Coral Harbor hosts a popular on-site monthly Community CKD Support Group, which is open to the public. The meetings – held on the fourth Wednesday of the month – begin with an “Ask the Expert” session with members of the medical team. A dietitian provides essential nutrition information to participants and takes questions as well. Participants then have a general discussion, getting tips and advice from one another on managing CKD. 

“Living well with chronic kidney disease requires a complete change of lifestyle and, understandably, it can be very challenging,” said Montemurno, who guides the discussions. “We offer key resources for individuals with CKD, and the group members provide such a wonderful support system for one another. We have participants traveling 30 miles to attend the meetings.”

Patricia McLaughlin, whose “The Traveling Kidney” Facebook page provides travel tips for those with CKD, is a regular support group member. The Monmouth County resident is also a peritoneal dialysis patient – and enthusiastic about Coral Harbor’s new licensing. “This is a wonderful attribute for any facility to have, as there is so much involved in getting dialysis in any form,” she said. “This just makes it so much easier for their patients to deal with their daily needs.”

More information on the Coral Harbor Community CKD management program and support group is available via Montemurno, who can be contacted at 732-774-8300.

Located at 2050 6th Avenue, Coral Harbor Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center provides post-hospital care, short-term rehab and long-term residential care. Marquis Health Services last year completed a $2.5 million renovation of the 110-bed facility. Beyond physical improvements, the efforts included a focus on the development and enhancement of Coral Harbor’s specialty programming. In addition to the expansion of its CKD management offering, Coral Harbor has augmented its specialty cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs, which now operate at the facility seven days per week. Piped-in oxygen enhances the facility’s pulmonary care services.

Coral Harbor maintains a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and received a nursing excellence award in 2018 from the New Jersey Association of Directors of Nursing Administration/Long Term Care, Inc., for earning a 12-month deficiency-free survey from the New Jersey Department of Health.

Brick, N.J.-based Marquis Health Services is a recognized leader in providing subacute rehabilitation and skilled nursing care. The Marquis Health Services Mid-Atlantic portfolio includes 11 skilled nursing facilities, and the growing brand also operates 10 facilities in New England. Today 75 percent of the Marquis Health Services portfolio has received four- and five-star ratings for outstanding care. Marquis Health Services is the healthcare affiliate of Tryko Partners, LLC, a family-owned organization with three generations of skilled nursing involvement.