A Clanton medical care group wants to add two hemodialysis stations to the existing 10 stations at its facility.

Fresenius Medical Care, formerly Renal Care Group located on Health Center Drive, has filed an application for the addition of two stations with the state Health Planning and Development Agency. The agency’s certificate of need board will have to review the application and either approve or deny the request.

Fresenius experienced an increase in patients following the closing of a competitor providing outpatient hemodialysis services in March.

People with chronic kidney disease require renal replacement therapy to maintain life. The treatments are required three days per week.

“We’re operating at maximum capacity. Actually, we’re operating at 140 percent maximum capacity,” Area Manager Donna Knight said. “Our staff is having to work three long shifts, and patients are having to come in late in the evening to receive their treatments.”

The certificate of need board will review the group’s request Sept. 16 of this year, but the deadline for parties who wish to submit written statements or appear before the board is July 27.

Interested parties also must provide a copy of statements to Knight at the following address: Donna Knight, Birmingham East Area Manager, 3918 Montclair Road, Suite 110, Birmingham, AL 35213. The application number is AL2009-036.

The cost of the proposed project would be $8,016. The facility is already plumbed for two additional stations. The only capital expense will be to purchase two hemodialysis machines.

“Kidney disease affects people of all walks of life and all socioeconomic backgrounds,” Knight said.