I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Home Dialysis => Topic started by: PrimeTimer on April 20, 2015, 08:39:03 PM
-
Anyone hear or be told that Fresenius is changing their supplier for saline bags? Just wondering. We were also told that they are no longer going to deliver supplies like gauze, tape, syringes, needles, etc to your home anymore and that patients will have to pick up supplies themselves from their centers. They said boxes of saline will still be delivered tho. That's good because saline is heavy.
-
Our order procedure changed. We now order from the center vs directly from Fresenius. Saline in the same but gloves, alcohol patches, and BD 10cc syringes are different. It's all shipped to us by UPS. Our nurse puts the order in. Makes little sense to me.
-
Upon further review the cases are labeled differently but the individual bags look the same. Who knows?
-
Our order procedure changed. We now order from the center vs directly from Fresenius. Saline in the same but gloves, alcohol patches, and BD 10cc syringes are different. It's all shipped to us by UPS. Our nurse puts the order in. Makes little sense to me.
I definitely would NOT want anything delivered by UPS. They knock once (not giving you enough time to even answer the door) and then leave packages at the door, sometimes at the WRONG door/address, outside on the dirty ground and for the whole world to see or...steal and in the elements (scorching heat, freezing temps). Will be bad enough if we have to make extra trips now to the center for supplies but would be even worse if it was delivered by UPS.
-
For UPS, I highly recommend My Choice. It's a service they offer that allows you to know when shipments are arriving and reschedule/reroute or hold at UPS Store or other UPS location. I use it a lot because I do not like to have packages sit out either and there is a UPS Store a few blocks from home. Most of their services are free but a couple of them do have a cost.
-
Our order procedure changed. We now order from the center vs directly from Fresenius. Saline in the same but gloves, alcohol patches, and BD 10cc syringes are different. It's all shipped to us by UPS. Our nurse puts the order in. Makes little sense to me.
I definitely would NOT want anything delivered by UPS. They knock once (not giving you enough time to even answer the door) and then leave packages at the door, sometimes at the WRONG door/address, outside on the dirty ground and for the whole world to see or...steal and in the elements (scorching heat, freezing temps). Will be bad enough if we have to make extra trips now to the center for supplies but would be even worse if it was delivered by UPS.
Years ago I received a box of some sort of solution (I think it related to at home Dialysis) that was supposed to be sent to someone I don't know about 1/2 a block away. The shipping data was very lacking but somehow I figured out where it was supposed to go and brought it over. I don't know what I would have done if it was a pallet of liquid....
-
My local clinic has stopped using TruBlue/Fresenius for supplies (including saline), and is now using MMS Pharmacy in TN. Fresenius has a local warehouse that used to deliver (and allowed will call). The new procedure sounds like the same system caregivertech1 is using. I was told that Fresenius was charging itself too much for delivery ($300 per trip), so they elected to use an outside supplier instead of themselves. The disadvantage is no more inside delivery (UPS only). The advantage is I don't have to do bi-monthly supply orders but can order any time (via the RN) and, as a result, I don't have to stockpile as much stuff to be certain I don't run out.
On a separate matter, Fresenius stopped home delivery of EPO. It is now delivered to the clinic, and I pick it up there.
For UPS, I highly recommend My Choice.
+1.
A great free feature is email a day or three before a package arrives, and another once the package has been delivered.
-
For UPS, I highly recommend My Choice. It's a service they offer that allows you to know when shipments are arriving and reschedule/reroute or hold at UPS Store or other UPS location. I use it a lot because I do not like to have packages sit out either and there is a UPS Store a few blocks from home. Most of their services are free but a couple of them do have a cost.
Great tip. Thanks.
-
For UPS, I highly recommend My Choice. It's a service they offer that allows you to know when shipments are arriving and reschedule/reroute or hold at UPS Store or other UPS location. I use it a lot because I do not like to have packages sit out either and there is a UPS Store a few blocks from home. Most of their services are free but a couple of them do have a cost.
I'll have to look into "My Choice" if our saline ends up being delivered via UPS (or if anything else is delivered via UPS). Thanks for the tip!
-
For UPS, I highly recommend My Choice. It's a service they offer that allows you to know when shipments are arriving and reschedule/reroute or hold at UPS Store or other UPS location. I use it a lot because I do not like to have packages sit out either and there is a UPS Store a few blocks from home. Most of their services are free but a couple of them do have a cost.
I'll have to look into "My Choice" if our saline ends up being delivered via UPS (or if anything else is delivered via UPS). Thanks for the tip!
Just an update...the whole issue about saline being delivered via UPS is a moot point. Fresenius now makes us pick it up ourselves at the clinic. And according to a recent post under NxStage Users, Fresenius is also going cheap on syringes and fistula needles. Husband (the patient) is not thrilled about that.
-
Wow, can't believe FMC is making patients pick up those heavy cases of Saline. My clinic is still shipping by UPS. Follow your grievous procedure and make some calls up the line...I'll bet they'll start shipping. Just the question asking for these phone numbers goes a long way. It worked for me getting them to order 3/5" needles.
-
Wow, can't believe FMC is making patients pick up those heavy cases of Saline. My clinic is still shipping by UPS. Follow your grievous procedure and make some calls up the line...I'll bet they'll start shipping. Just the question asking for these phone numbers goes a long way. It worked for me getting them to order 3/5" needles.
I've already asked my husband (the patient) to bring all this up with his Neph and nurse and he refuses. He's afraid to rock the boat with them. Meanwhile, guess he doesn't care that his unwillingness to speak up is rocking MY boat. :'(
-
I've already asked my husband (the patient) to bring all this up with his Neph and nurse and he refuses. He's afraid to rock the boat with them. Meanwhile, guess he doesn't care that his unwillingness to speak up is rocking MY boat. :'(
:cuddle;
-
Anyone hear or be told that Fresenius is changing their supplier for saline bags? Just wondering. We were also told that they are no longer going to deliver supplies like gauze, tape, syringes, needles, etc to your home anymore and that patients will have to pick up supplies themselves from their centers. They said boxes of saline will still be delivered tho. That's good because saline is heavy.
I like to think I am relatively healthy (except for kidneys of course) but having had to get my first boxes of saline of the porch yesterday I cannot imagine how an elderly family could handle this. Especially the way I try to baby my fistula arm.
Next Stage finds a way to get supplies delivered. Why can't Fresenius? Answers ...CHEAP!!! I whine about this at every Ultra Care call. Does not seem to do much good.
-
Next Stage finds a way to get supplies delivered. Why can't Fresenius? Answers ...CHEAP!!! I whine about this at every Ultra Care call. Does not seem to do much good.
The Ultra care call is part of a program to keep you happy while you are a private insurance paid patient. The calls will end once you transition to Medicare.
-
Next Stage finds a way to get supplies delivered. Why can't Fresenius? Answers ...CHEAP!!! I whine about this at every Ultra Care call. Does not seem to do much good.
The Ultra care call is part of a program to keep you happy while you are a private insurance paid patient. The calls will end once you transition to Medicare.
My husband is still on private insurance. Last time he got a call from the Ultra Care nurse was in May. No call yet so far this month. Wonder if their Ultra Care is also going bye-bye like home deliveries did. Call me paranoid but I've been laid off twice from longterm jobs I had with large companies just before they tanked or were bought out through mergers. Both started cutting back on things just ahead of announcing layoffs. Hopefully Fresenius is just wanting to boost their bottom line and not in any trouble but their cutting out deliveries and cutting back on supplies is making me nervous. Hoping my husband brings all this up with his Neph or the Ultra Care nurse.
-
Next Stage finds a way to get supplies delivered. Why can't Fresenius? Answers ...CHEAP!!! I whine about this at every Ultra Care call. Does not seem to do much good.
The Ultra care call is part of a program to keep you happy while you are a private insurance paid patient. The calls will end once you transition to Medicare.
Yes sir, I do know that. Part of the reason I am trying to make noise now!!
-
The problem with the Fresenius (FMC/True Blue) delivery is that they trucked the supplies out, and did not have a good formula for "truck vs. UPS" and only using (and billing for) the truck when it was cost effective. Tru Blu did use UPS one month when the delivery consisted only of supplies other than saline, but every time there was saline, it was trucked at a cost to the clinic of $300 per trip (delivery only, not supplies). I was on bi-monthly with True Blue, and was in the habit of ordering enough saline that they would only need to send the truck once every 4 months, and UPS on alternate 2 month cycles. Encouraging this for patients would have been another way to cut down on the delivery charges.
If Fresenius were rational in its internal cross-department billing procedures, and switched to UPS only for patients who are on NxStage, the entire switch to an independent pharmacy would have been unnecessary.
Irrationality persists. It cannot be more cost effective to ship one gallon of bleach from TN to MA than to just grab one from stock at the clinic when I am in for my monthly.
-
So, I wonder what Fresenius is doing with all those trucks they're no longer using for deliveries that they paid to have "Tru Blue" painted on and the delivery drivers. Poof, gone? A write-off?
-
They used to ship Heparin to my house. I had to pick up the last order from the clinic. Have not noticed any other changes as of yet.
-
They used to ship Heparin to my house. I had to pick up the last order from the clinic. Have not noticed any other changes as of yet.
Same change for EPO with the clinic I use.
So, I wonder what Fresenius is doing with all those trucks they're no longer using for deliveries that they paid to have "Tru Blue" painted on and the delivery drivers. Poof, gone? A write-off?
Home delivery is a small part of the TrueBlue delivery. They also service their own clinics, and some hospitals where they contract for dialysis service. Also, home users on the BabyK Fresenius machines still get their orders from TruBlue as there is a huge volume of bicarb and acid solution delivered each month, not to mention cartirdges, line sets and ancillary supplies.
-
Hhmm...wonder if NxStage knows about any of this. We are also no longer getting Heparin delivered. Husband has to go pick it up with his EPO along with everything else now and needing Heparin and EPO does not necessarily coincide with his monthly appointments. Now we have to take more time off from work and make more trips to the clinic.
Question for those on PD: Are any of you PD'ers having to pick up your own home dialysis supplies from your Fresenius clinic?
-
Question for those on PD: Are any of you PD'ers having to pick up your own home dialysis supplies from your Fresenius clinic?
I would be surprised if this is the case. The PD supplies (as well as home hemp w/Babyk) are sufficiently bulky as to make the TruBlue service cost effective at $300 per truck delivery.
I have to pick EPO and, I assume, Heparin (don't use it now) at the clinic, but saline and supplies are shipped to my house. No more inside delivery for saline and supplies (NxStage still does inside delivery)
-
Heparin and EPO are medications and thus governed by the LAWS of the state you live in. Our nurse told me our state pharmacy law requires they deliver both directly to our home . The clinic IS NOT ALLOWED BY LAW to give it to us . The next state over on the other hand is the opposite . They have to give them out from the clinic .
This has nothing to do with Fresenius.
-
Heparin and EPO are medications and thus governed by the LAWS of the state you live in. Our nurse told me our state pharmacy law requires they deliver both directly to our home . The clinic IS NOT ALLOWED BY LAW to give it to us . The next state over on the other hand is the opposite . They have to give them out from the clinic .
This has nothing to do with Fresenius.
There is a sign at the FMC clinic I use mentioning this - FMC pharmacy makes drugs available for pickup at the clinic "except in states where the law requires home delivery".
-
I emailed the MMC pharmacy - the "Micropore +" tape is available but not on the FMC formulary, so your clinic's nurse has to jump through an extra hoop or two to get it for you. The default tape they are providing is "Micropore", which is the same tape with a little less stickiness.
-
Just got an order - MMC pharmacy is supplying Fresenius saline.
-
Since we are running back/forth now to the clinic to pick up ancillary supplies (thanks to Fresenius, no more deliveries), we put in a written request to them to give their approval to MMS to at least have the (heavy boxes) of saline delivered via UPS. We'll see how that goes over...We are not happy about having to request and fight for things that were once considered part of the convenience/reasons that sold us on doing dialysis at home. By doing home dialysis, we are doing all the labor and saving them money in exchange for my husbands comfort and health and being able to stay healthy enough to keep a job and his will to live. They make it any more difficult than it already is for him, positives will turn into negatives and that would really bite. >:(
-
I filed a formal complaint at our clinic about all the changes for the worse by Fresenius. I have a LONG list of complaints . The whole system SUCKS now. It used to be like clockwork with good quality supplies. NOT ANYMORE. I am planning on going to Medicare next as they are descriminating against Nxstage patients only. That is ILLEGAL. They are required to give the same level of care to EVERY patient.
-
Same problem
Just had a clinic visit and complained that the syringes are crap compared to what is used in center ..... and the alcohol pads are half the size of what is used in center(so we just use more).
And why are we home dialyzors second class citizens. Everyone looked embarrassed but I doubt if anything will be done.
At least we still get saline delivered.
-
FMC is having MMS Pharmacy send all ancillary supplies and saline to my house.
I have not found the Nipro needles to be inferior. It helps a bit to pull back and forward once before use, since the rubber can "stick" from being left in one position for a long time. That being said, we were switched from USA manufactured top brand needles to Chinese generics.
Make sure your RN is ordering the LARGE alcohol wipes. While MMS ships a cheap generic, they do stock the larger size that matches the in-center. The ones I have been getting match the side of the McKesson ones I used to get.
MMS just added "Micropore Plus" tape to the FMC formulary (regular "Micropore" is similar but not as sticky)
You need to specifiy many items individuall, but you'll avoid a box of loose stuff if you order in "box quantities" (12 rolls of tape, 250 blunt or 300 sharp JMS fistula needles,e tc.)
My last order had 100 fistula needles tossed in the box loose with packs of gauze, a bag of tape, and a box of syringes. I'll order a full box of fistula needles next time.
I am planning on going to Medicare next as they are descriminating against Nxstage patients only. That is ILLEGAL. They are required to give the same level of care to EVERY patient.
The problem is proving the supplies are not up to a medical standard.
To make a case, you would have to prove that the supplies you are getting are not up to the prevailing standard for medical products. Since the needles are FDA licenses, I doubt you would get anywhere unless you could prove something like a lack of sterility. Curiously, there was one upgrade from MMS - name brand instead of generic bleach.
-
Just got a call from my nurse who said she has been told to give us BD syringes at clinic each month. :bandance; :bandance; :bandance;
Sometimes the squeaky wheel does get greased. :clap; :clap; :clap; :clap;
-
Sometimes the squeaky wheel does get greased. :clap; :clap; :clap; :clap;
Congratulations!!!!
I have no doubt my RN would get me BD if I was having problems with Nipro, but the Chinese cheapies are working fine for me. She just got me a Redsense ($$) and a fancy automated BP monitor ($300-$500 depending on supplier) for nocturnal, so the medical director at my clinic has apparently figured out he is making enough without squeezing his patients dry to keep FMC happy.
I squeaked (formal complaint) when a Texas FMC clinic applied a policy of "Transients get a 160 filter only, biggers ones only for our regulars".
The letter I received was 2/3 explaining they were doing nothing wrong, and 1/3 explaining that they have changed the policy (which was local to that clinic)
-
Sometimes the squeaky wheel does get greased. :clap; :clap; :clap; :clap;
Congratulations!!!!
the Chinese cheapies are working fine for me.
Then you are a better man than I :bow;...... I can NEVER get the NIPRO to draw without mass air bubbles. I have tried the break loose and move several times trick and it helps a little. We used one to check placement once and almost did a restick because my wife had real trouble pulling it back.
Small victories :yahoo; ...... it is all I have left!!!
-
The Nipro needles/caps are more likely to be a bit loose when you open the package - the first thing I do is tighten them.
-
Since we are running back/forth now to the clinic to pick up ancillary supplies (thanks to Fresenius, no more deliveries), we put in a written request to them to give their approval to MMS to at least have the (heavy boxes) of saline delivered via UPS. We'll see how that goes over...We are not happy about having to request and fight for things that were once considered part of the convenience/reasons that sold us on doing dialysis at home. By doing home dialysis, we are doing all the labor and saving them money in exchange for my husbands comfort and health and being able to stay healthy enough to keep a job and his will to live. They make it any more difficult than it already is for him, positives will turn into negatives and that would really bite. >:(
Our written request worked; Fresenius had the saline delivered to us via UPS. Still a pain since UPS doesn't bring supplies indoors and stack them where you need them to but it's better than going down to the clinic to pick up boxes. Boxes of saline (12 pak) weighs 31 pounds. Do not think my husband should risk damaging his fistula by lifting those so I do. I can carry 2 boxes at a time on my handcart. We're still waiting on the verdict of getting NxStage supplies delivered with advance notice of a date/time like we use to. Fresenius changed the delivery service for the NxStage supplies to be treated as "parcels", meaning no advance notice of date/time and if you are not at home, the boxes are left outside your front door. I do NOT want boxes of SAKs, PAKS and Cartridges left outdoors! So...we put in a formal written request for that, too and waiting to hear. And oh, we received BD syringes. Gotta keep on these people!
-
Since we are running back/forth now to the clinic to pick up ancillary supplies (thanks to Fresenius, no more deliveries), we put in a written request to them to give their approval to MMS to at least have the (heavy boxes) of saline delivered via UPS. We'll see how that goes over...We are not happy about having to request and fight for things that were once considered part of the convenience/reasons that sold us on doing dialysis at home. By doing home dialysis, we are doing all the labor and saving them money in exchange for my husbands comfort and health and being able to stay healthy enough to keep a job and his will to live. They make it any more difficult than it already is for him, positives will turn into negatives and that would really bite. >:(
Our written request worked; Fresenius had the saline delivered to us via UPS. Still a pain since UPS doesn't bring supplies indoors and stack them where you need them to but it's better than going down to the clinic to pick up boxes. Boxes of saline (12 pak) weighs 31 pounds. Do not think my husband should risk damaging his fistula by lifting those so I do. I can carry 2 boxes at a time on my handcart. We're still waiting on the verdict of getting NxStage supplies delivered with advance notice of a date/time like we use to. Fresenius changed the delivery service for the NxStage supplies to be treated as "parcels", meaning no advance notice of date/time and if you are not at home, the boxes are left outside your front door. I do NOT want boxes of SAKs, PAKS and Cartridges left outdoors! So...we put in a formal written request for that, too and waiting to hear. And oh, we received BD syringes. Gotta keep on these people!
********************************************************************************************************************************
Update: I wrote a letter to Fresenius and our nurse filed a grievance on our behalf. Seems to have paid off. We now get the saline delivered UPS (better than having to go pick it up ourselves tho) and we are back to receiving advance notice in the form of a phonecall concerning the delivery time of the NxStage supplies. My husband is still having to pick up the rest of the ancillary supplies at his monthly appt but we'll take the gains and be glad for that much for now.
EDITED:Fixed quote tag error-kitkatz,Admin
-
I just found out that Tue Blue trucks are leased from Penske, so my delivery driver tells me. I get 40 cases a month and that is 800 lbs. Can't imagine Frsenius making patients pick up solution.
-
I just found out that Tue Blue trucks are leased from Penske, so my delivery driver tells me. I get 40 cases a month and that is 800 lbs. Can't imagine Frsenius making patients pick up solution.
Our saline is still made by Fresenius but they (Fresenius clinic) orders it from a different medical supplier now and have it delivered by UPS. If we aren't home, they leave it at our doorstep outside and I hate that. I worry about outdoor temperature and then of course, lifting the boxes to bring them indoors. Because of his AVF fistula in his arm, I don't want my husband lifting them. I use a small handcart but still have to lift them up onto the dolly and then stack them up in our supply room. Use to be delivered by True Blue and they would bring them inside and stack them. I have finally talked the UPS driver into at least sitting the boxes down just inside the door if one of us are home. We get 5 boxes. There are 12 saline bags to a box and for the number of treatments we do a week/month, that lasts us about 3+ months so at least we aren't dealing with delivery issues every month.
-
NxStage supplies to be treated as "parcels", meaning no advance notice of date/time and if you are not at home
Sign up for UPS My Choice - it's free, and you'll get an email a day or three before any package arrives at your address with your name.
-
NxStage supplies to be treated as "parcels", meaning no advance notice of date/time and if you are not at home
Sign up for UPS My Choice - it's free, and you'll get an email a day or three before any package arrives at your address with your name.
As for saline, we do get an email from UPS telling us which day but as for what time, their emails just say "before end of business day".
As for NxStage supplies (cartridges, SAK's, PAK's, hanging bags) we ended up getting a call from one of their reps profusely apologizing and saying that they don't know who changed the method of delivery but that it should not have been changed. Going forward, supplies will be delivered via contracted courier (not UPS) who will bring them inside and rotate inventory (the way it use to be delivered before someone screwed it up). I suspect it was FMC.
-
As for saline, we do get an email from UPS telling us which day but as for what time, their emails just say "before end of business day".
When I get an email, i go on to my UPS.COM MyChoice account and get a 4 hour windows. I could pay UPS extra for a 2 hour window but don't.
-
As for saline, we do get an email from UPS telling us which day but as for what time, their emails just say "before end of business day".
When I get an email, i go on to my UPS.COM MyChoice account and get a 4 hour windows. I could pay UPS extra for a 2 hour window but don't.
Last month because I was out of town I used UPS MyChoice to change delivery to my nearest UPS store. Cost me 9 bucks.....better than leaving them at the door in the rain.