I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Centers => Topic started by: MattyBoy100 on September 08, 2007, 03:09:00 PM
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I get up for work at 530 am and finish at 345 pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. After work on those days, I look forward to going to my dialysis unit. Not only do I get the opportunity to relax on a big comfortable chair which can be raised or lowered to my fancy at the touch of a button and watch a personal tv/dvd player but I can chat and have a laugh with all the staff there and to me, they are not just staff but my friends.
They deal day in and day out with moaning patients wanting this that and the next thing, not realising they have a job to do as well as tending to their needs.
I know them all by name and know all about their families and their outside interests. Despite the fact they may have had a hectic day, been short staffed or have staff spread out in chronic units, there is always a welcoming smile when I come in. And if I have had a bad day at work and feel grumpy, seeing that smiling face when I come in makes me think "Why I am I being grumpy?" and I can't help but smile back when I see that face.
Someone orders my dinner for me before I go in and I appreciate them for doing that for me. Later on in the evening I even get offered a cup of tea while on dialysis and if it is quiet at that time of day, there is time to stop for a chat and just talk about day to day stuff.
Every member of the team has played a role in helping me to help myself with regards to learning about the machines and my treatment. I had a needle phobia when I started 14 months ago and have been gently coaxed out of it to the point where about 8 months ago, I started self - cannulating. That was no mean feat as the first time the needles were taken out, I nearly passed out!
The people in my unit take care of me and they look after me. They are dedicated professionals and yet it doesn't seem that way as they are also friendly and always interested to hear what is going on with me in my life.
I just want to say to people on this site who are not happy with their treatment or their unit then try somewhere else as there are decent places and people who care. It is easier to moan and complain about something than get off your butt and do something about it.
As for my unit, I will continue to go there and would like to say a big thankyou to them for being great. If they use this site, they know who they are. :thx;
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I'm glad you like your dialysis center and I'm glad they are good to you. In a world that seem negative at times it is good to hear positive comments and too bad they can't all be that accommodating. :thumbup; Good to see you posting Mattyboy.
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Dialysis is challenging, so when you've got a good staff at a clinic that can make life a little easier, I think it makes a big difference! Did you say you ORDER DINNER??? Wow, that's really great, no food in Jenna's unit, bring your own snack!
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Yep, we get a 3 course evening meal. The choice is pretty limited but it is nice to get something to eat after being at work. And they know that I love the ice cream there so they always order two pots for me. They're only little but I look forward to my ice cream most of all!
I am very lucky.
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Wow .. Dinner (and a movie?) :) -- I get off work at 3:30 to make it on time, and I barely have time to stop and grab a small bottle of water to take with me.
I was surprised last night at my Center (it was my first Friday night). They came around and gave us some Popcorn and then they played a movie (Firehouse Dog). It was a pretty good move too! -- Too bad they don't do that on Wednesday night, when there is nothing on TV to watch! :)
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Very nice post, MattyBoy. I had a very nice dialysis unit too...never got served dinner though, just ice! There were some very demanding patients who treated the nurses and staff like "hired help" that wanted to be catered to every whim. I just figured they were sick and lonely people, and the staff was very kind (except one crotchety tech...but I learned that was her "normal" disposition - she would also perk up when we talked about HER problems which kinda irritated me. The thing is, she had diabetes and did not take care of herself, and sometimes I would think "be thankful for what you have...there may be a chance that some day YOU may have to sit in this chair!")
Since my transplant last Dec, I have stopped by a couple of times to say "hi" and they are so excited to see me, but understand that it is not anywhere that I care to "hang out"! I saw one of the techs at the grocery store a couple of days ago and we had a chance to chat....it wouldn't be an easy job, working in a dialysis unit.
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That's the kind of center where a person can thrive on hemodialysis!
:beer1;
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I notice that if you treat the workers with respect then you USUALLY get it in return. Although i was very unhappy on hemo, i have to admit, i did love the staff (well, most of them) :P It's great to hear that you are happy with your center MattyBoy, it sounds like you are not only a great patient to them but a friend as well. Keep on keeping on my friend :clap;
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I feel very much the same about my unit. The staff are wonderful and I think once you get to know eachother better, after time, it is much more like a family than a working thing. I've been in my unit for over a year now.. I've seen some of our nurses married, some pregnant.. heck one has just come back from i think her 3rd kid... and yes, you can share outside interests to an extent and know them as PEOPLE not just "that darn person that sticks me with them needles and makes the machine stop beeping!".... The other thing is seeing other patients - specially "regulars" - it is good and you DO notice when someone isn't there and ask and worry.
I know for certain that if/WHEN (think positive!) I get a transplant or something and don't need Hemo for some time I will still visit these guys... and I have already promised to take them all for lunch if/when that happens :)
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I just wanted to chime in about my new center in Munroe Falls, OH.
So far, the staff and facility are extremely nice. There's an ice cube machine for the patients who want it. I can plug my laptop/dvd player into an available outlet and watch my Doctor Who. In my old unit in Streetsboro, OH they wouldn't let me plug the laptop in. They give me pillows and the chairs are comfortable. There are numerous books and magazines in the lobby as well. The staff & patients are quiet, the tv's have headphones, and they always ask if I'm doing okay. I haven't found anything yet that I would be concerned with. In today's treatment, the tech told me in her 20 years of working at dialysis centers, this is the best one she's been with. She drives over an hour each way to get there. I think I'm going to like it here. Now, only if I could get the coveted first shift.....
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oh yeah mine lets me plug in my laptop too.. my only problem is some positions have horrid access to power.. but that's another issue :) Heck sometimes the staff watch stuff on my laptop (one of the nurses is a MASSIVE star wars nerd, so we often have D&M discussions on the merits of Jar Jar Binks *rolls eyes*).. ha ha the other day I came in and someone said "You'll know which machine is yours..." so I look around and sitting on the machine is a massive Jar Jar Binks bust with a big sign "Moi Moi! I love you!" I swear I cracked up laughing at this point. Another nurse I chat to about footy and recorded a game for him on DVD that he wanted and so on. It REALLY works well for everyone I think when you're active (as a patient) and don't just sit like a blob of misery in the corner (having said that I realise that I am doing pretty well on dialysis.. stable with no major problems.. unlike some poor people in our unit who seem to stumble from one crisis to the next :( ).... but you know when I walk in I feel like they are actually happy to see me as me the person rather than the patient.... Plus they send me the cute medical students to learn their stuff with WOO HOO! :) Even the PSA is a gem.. she remembers what everyone likes to drink or their preferences with food or biscuits or whatever and makes sure we're all looked after (note to self: must take her chocolates next week!).
Yeah, I love my unit! I HATE dialysis, but if you have to do it.... there are sure worse places and people to do it with!
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Mattyboy you live in Scotland and your experience sounds very good.
They get you Dinner too? Wow.
I am glad you all love your clinics and wish you well.
I Live in Florida here in the USA. Florida sucks if you are poor
disabled or simply one of the several thousands of working poor
in this state. It's one the four worst states in social spending.
So I have had terrible experiences since I came down with ESRD at 45.
I fear and loath going to dialysis.
These people aren't my friends no matter how much I wish they were.
I am their Job.
I am thankful to be alive and for the consideration some give me
but in general it is a horrifying experience that has left me depressed,
fatigued, isolated, in despair - a shell of my former self.
Oh by the way, their isnt much of a dole in Florida and what you pay for a flat
won't allow for things like food.
I can't say that I love any health facility in Florida I've been to.
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Why I Love My Dialysis Center:
1. The staff does good work and is easy to get along with.
2. The clinic is brand new and well cleaned.
3. If I ever need supplies they'll put together a Ziploc bag full of stuff (bandages, gauze, etc.)
4. The social worker, nutritionist and doctors are all available when I need them.
5. It's only 5 miles from work.
6. 95% of the time they will work with me on schedule changes.
Why I Hate My Dialysis Center:
1. The patients are the most god-awful people I've ever experienced in a clinic setting.
2. No one will turn down their TV and actually turn it up to spite me.
3. Hygiene is foreign to most patients.
4. Hitting the toilet proper seems to baffle most patients at my clinic as well.
5. The clinic manager is an idiot. (Fortunately she's not a big fan of hooking up patients.)
6. One word: frostbite.
Thank you and good night.
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Okay my lists:
I Like my center because
1. My doctor is there.
2. I see other doctors at least once a week, not once a month and they actually read the chart and talk to me!
3. It is clean.
4. I have friend who is a patient there. We can tag team staff. :bandance;
I hate the center because:
1. It's Dialysis
2. Needles
3. Late times getting on and off
4. It's dialysis three days a week.
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Why I Love My Dialysis Center:
Why I Hate My Dialysis Center:
1. The patients are the most god-awful people I've ever experienced in a clinic setting.
2. No one will turn down their TV and actually turn it up to spite me.
3. Hygiene is foreign to most patients.
4. Hitting the toilet proper seems to baffle most patients at my clinic as well.
5. The clinic manager is an idiot. (Fortunately she's not a big fan of hooking up patients.)
6. One word: frostbite. Thank you and good night.
What is it with these slobs who trash the bathrooms. Do they do that in their own homes?
Really a lot of patients in the clinics are inconsiderate.
Please don't seat me next to the old lady who hasn't yet bathed this month but wears a
3 day supply of PERFUME!!!!
Is there a Clinic Manger who isn't an idiot or suffers from a leadership deficiency?
Just thinking about dialysis gives me the chills.
BRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr......
....bdpoe
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I want to go to a dialysis center like Mattyboy100's. That sounds amazing especially the dinner part. I like mine in that most of the staff is pretty awesome. The chairs suck though they are extremely uncomfortable and my feet hang off the edge. It's always too cold but I think everybody has that problem. I do like the individual tvs but I almost never read anymore since they put them in.
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That's awesome you like your center and staff so much. It makes a HUGE difference doing something so dreaded.
Before he started home hemo, Rob loved his center. THe nurses & techs are really great there, they loved having him there and he got along great with them. We are actually neighbors with one of his old techs and our sons play together.
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i like my unit because it's a 10 minute drive from home
i dislike my unit as in my opinion it's run by the nurses for the nurses, patients are secondary :banghead;
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I love my dialysis unit.. It's part of the hospital I go to in boston which is part the pediatric teaching hospital of Harvard University. It's a outpatient/inpatient dialysis .. which means the same nurses will do your dialysis in the actual unit or on the floor (if you are too sick to come down). I get along with the most of the people at my unit.. nurses,other patients..
They just treat us very well..
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Please Lord when I go on a rampage at the dialysis center, remind me why I like them!
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I have to say yours sounds really nice! I do love mine also even without dinner. We do get free ice :sarcasm;. Seriously though I have been blessed to have my unit in Oregon Ohio (not sure if we can say name or not) they know who they are if reading this. The staff are amazing and I too know them all on a personal level not just as a patient but as a friend. I think I know more about them then they do me if that's possible. We now have shared tv's but at the time I go (4pm-730pm M-W-F) I do get my own tv and get to hold the remote! I do feel like they care for me and make my time there go by faster with thier laughter and compassion. There is always a seat next to my chair and they will take turns stopping by sitting down and chatting. Could by 5min to 1hr (social worker can talk!)(you know I love you Janice) :bow;. :cuddle;. I can't imagine what those patients would do without her! She is the most wonderful person I have met there, she always takes time to check on all patients and no matter how busy she is (I've seen her there to 7 pm) if you ask her to come over or have her paged she always makes time for you, and will talk to you about anything even unrelated to dialysis (we have covered some topics in 22 months let me tell you) Anyway I could go on and on about her and the staff there! I just want everyone who hates thier unit to seek another the good one's are out there and you can't do this journey without the support of a good one!
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I love my dailysis center:
1. New hospital, new equipments.
2. Nice young nurse, freindly.
3. All paid for, breakfast (morning session), lunch (afternoon session), tea (evening session)
4. All prepared, private pillow, mattress, ready on the daiylsis seater.
5. CCTV monitoring the patient.
6. Cleanliness.
7. Visitors are welcome.
I hate my dailysisi center:
1. Some nurses came late to work.
2. Awfull patient, griddy, no respect.
3. Limited TV channel..
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We don't even get tissues or crushed ice at ours. We have to cry and scream to get Phenergan. Basically our center is like a slave trade. Most of these idiot techs even gripe like it's my fault that I urinate still and have to get off the machine for like 5 stinking minutes to pee. The comments range from "Are you really going in there to pee, because dialysis patients don't pee!" to "Can't you wait?", to which I answer, "Sure, anything you say, but I must warn you, you will probably be cleaning piss off this seat, and sending me home as I have no clean clothes here in about half an hour if I do. Now, you would you like to unhook me or not?" No one has refused yet.
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Why I like my dialysis center:
1 - It's close to home - less than a 10 minute drive.
2 - 99% of the techs and nurses are great. We talk and joke and get to know each other.
3 - We have a great ice and water machine. It's new - they got it about a week after the old ice only machine started acting up.
4 - I get hooked up on time about 9 out of 10 times.
5 - I am flexible so whenever they have a chair available earlier than my time (6:45 p.m.) they call and ask me if I want to come in early.
6 - I am sick frequently due to abdominal problems and have to cancel more than anyone else. They work with me to make up my times if possible and are always so concerned when I'm sick.
7 - They listen to me and let me decide how much fluid to take off even if they think more should come off. I can tell by looking at my hands how much should come off. :)
8 - If I have to use the bathroom they always take me off right away and are really nice about it.
What I don't like about my dialysis center:
1 - The bathroom in the center is unusually dirty by the time I get there - so if I have to use the bathroom I will go out to the waiting room one because it is always clean!
2 -This center is in a bad part of town.
3 - One patient who gets put on 15 minutes before me is an arrogant b******. He stops and gets fast food every night even though we aren't supposed to eat. He used to try to hide it but not anymore. Eats with his mouth open (YUCK) and draws attention to this by talking (loudly) on his cell phone while eating. It's obvious the staff gets disgusted with him but they still treat him good. (I wouldn't!)
For the most part, I really like my center. I just hate dialysis!
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What I like about my dialysis center - I don't have to go.
But, really my center was 7 minutes from work and the nurses and techs (for the most part) were great. I've heard they no longer have a third shift because everyone on the late shift received transplants!
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What i like about my center
1. staff are friendly and most staff do really care for their patients.
2. we get a decent cooked meal with dessert.
3. a few nurses are real pros at sticking needles. so no fear of needles.
What i dont like about my center.
1. the unit runs late sometimes by 2 hours on a regular basis.
2. the tv's in my unit require binoculars to see whats on. you also need to be able to lipread to "hear" the tv.
3. No ice machine ???
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I like this topic... because I love my unit.
But yea... I dont usually have a problem with my nurses... unless they want to go into a new spot.. then I'll argue. But other than that, They are the coolest staff around! (plus they wear spiffy scrubs) i think no one likes dialysis.. but you make the best of what you have. But.. yes we do have a great ice machine.. but its hard since the nurses watch you like a hawk..
also.. no offense to anyone.. but I dont understand how they can just let you decided how much fluid to get off... at our unit they take off as much as they can as much as you gained. because too much fluid can really hurt you... I would probably get slapped if i gained 4kilos and told them to only take off 2.. But I think it's important to have trust with your staff.. like with anyone. But you should trust them with your body and life. So unless theres no trust.. then obviously you will hate your unit.
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But I think it's important to have trust with your staff.. like with anyone. But you should trust them with your body and life. So unless theres no trust.. then obviously you will hate your unit.
Yes, trust is really important, and without it dialysis is scary.
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Hi LadyStardust,
It's good to hear that you like your unit.
I wanted to explain why I am the one to decide how much fluid comes off my body. Mainly because it's my body and I know it better than anyone else. My actual weight fluctuates within a 5 pound range. I still pee a lot and like I said I can tell by looking at my hands whether I have gained fluid or not. I have abdominal problems and if I have been vomiting between treatments, I won't even be up to my dry weight. If I have not been vomiting and have been able to eat and not had any BM's, my weight will be well over my dry weight even though I have not gained much fluid.
When I first started dialysis last year and didn't know much, I just let them take whatever they said needed to be taken. I was constantly having my BP drop too low and getting sick. They would use that machine thing and things would be okay. Next time, no machine and I'd get sick again. Once I had read a lot here at IHD and understood more about it, I started telling them how much to take off. Since then, I've only been sick a few times. You just can't go by the book, or by the numbers, on every person. Real life doesn't work that way - and I'm proof of that.
I don't believe that you have to trust the people in your unit with your life. I only trust myself. I make sure that everything is set right, etc, because they are human and humans make mistakes.
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But I think it's important to have trust with your staff.. like with anyone. But you should trust them with your body and life.
While I do agree that trust between the patient and the staff is extremely important, I definitely do not believe anyone should blindly "trust them with your body and life". The patient and the staff should ideally be partners in the process, but the ultimate decision-making ability should always remain in the hands of the patient.
Anyone can make a mistake. The patient can help to reduce the odds of doing so, however, if he or she remains vigilant and closely monitors the care they are receiving. Question anything you do not understand or do not think is in your best interests.
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What I like about my clinic:
The staff and techs are all nice and friendly
They all like to cut up & have a good time (I like that they carry on with us & treat us "human")
They will come around with a tray of cups of ice and the ice is shaved ice MMMMMM
The dietician is really nice and she seems to be interested in your life outside of "D"
They have functions/get togethers outside of "D"
For the most part, all the patients are nice and friendly
Things I don't like about my clinic:
The doctor is not always around when you need him
There is a "new" tech there and she is nice and all but boy is she DINGY, slow & acts like she does not know what she is doing half the time (I have told them that I do not want her touching me)
The clinic could be a little cleaner
They don't call you if they KNOW they are running late (why don't they do that?)
I don't like that they do not always give you a return phone call the same day
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My center was the best around until Davita bought them out. Now it's the pits.
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FlipBob
I was afraid that would happen to you
so sorry
but then, today we got 4 ounces of diet sprite and a rice krispie treat,
can you beat that
and we are only allowed to watch pg movies
we got to see Mrs Doubtfire
like I haven't seen that a million times
so I watched tv
I really am sorry about your center, I know you used to like it
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The have a new wi-fi but all the sites like youtube and itunes are blocked. They also say in their disclaimer that they monitor patient internet usage.
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The have a new wi-fi but all the sites like youtube and itunes are blocked. They also say in their disclaimer that they monitor patient internet usage.
well, what can they do if you are on a site they do not approve
they make sure our movies, that we want to place where everyone can see them or not R rated
so, you have a beautiful home to go to
so screw them
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My next project is to weigh in naked so there will be no dispute on how much I gained.
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My next project is to weigh in naked so there will be no dispute on how much I gained.
I'd like to see that!
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FlipBob
I was afraid that would happen to you
so sorry
but then, today we got 4 ounces of diet sprite and a rice krispie treat,
can you beat that
and we are only allowed to watch pg movies
we got to see Mrs Doubtfire
like I haven't seen that a million times
so I watched tv
I really am sorry about your center, I know you used to like it
Yeah, we're only allowed to watch PG movies too. And for awhile, they had the music video channels blocked out because they said David (this one mentally challenged guy there) might see something like W.A.S.P., Children Of Bodom or Slayer and try to act it out. But thing is, one time I asked him if he liked musc videos and he said Hannah Montana and The Cheetah Girls were his favorite groups and that he liked country and basically those were the only videos he's ever seen, so I don't think W.A.S.P. and Slayer were too much of an influence on him and apparently neither did the staff because now we have MTV, Vh1, MTV2 and VH1 Classic. Beats the stuffing out of PBS Kids, Disney Channel and Nickelodeon if you ask me. That stuff reduces your I.Q. by about 1,000 points. And it's even worse when they have SpongeBob SquarePants and Jimmy Neutron marathons, those shows are just ignorant drivel, even for kids.
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I love Spongebob SquarePants - yesterday at D I watched him for 4 hours
but do not touch my MTV and MTV2
last night my son and I watched a marathon of True Life - it is real reality tv
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Are you ready kids? I love Spongebob!
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Nurse at my unit the other day gave me a renal nursing journal and asked me to read an article on things nurses should know about renal transplantation.. she wanted to know if she should read it! LOL That was interesting. Actually I enjoyed the whole journal a few interesting articles in it.. specially one about needling - retrograde or antegrade needling and which is better. Oh yeah what reading material for a day on the machine!!! :)
Speaking about watching videos I take my laptop in and they don't tell me what I should or shouldn't watch but I did decide to cut out watching Californication there...in case one of the elderly patients happened to see something they might not apprieciate (or which might drive their BP too high!!! hehehe). Luckily I mostly watch sci-fi and other stuff like that that's hardly going to upset anyone.
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Thank you Lord, they are fast putting me on and taking me off. Once they get started they get me on quick!
In Wisconsin where i visited recently FMC people were slow getting patients on and off of the machines. It sure adds time to your stay in the center! One night I got there at 8 o'clock and was not on the machine until 9:30 and they only have six to eight nocturnal patients there to deal with at that time. Sigh!
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I'm having 6 weeks of haemo following a hernia repair. I normally do PD. My nearest dialysis unit is 400km away but luckily I have a daughter there and am staying with her. The dialysis unit in Dubbo NSW Australia gets my vote for friendliness, support and help. I'm glad that the unit has been available to me during this time.
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Why I like my dialysis center (FMS in suburban Atlanta, GA):
1. It's a reasonable distance to drive - less than a 15 minutes. (There are a couple that are closer, but I like this center a lot!)
2. All of the techs and nurses are great, once you used to the slight differences in techniques. There's only one who's a little rough, so I asked that he not be assigned to me.
3. I get hooked up on time about 9 out of 10 times. If they're running late, it's because people on the first shift arrived late.
4. They call and ask me if I want to come in early if a chair is available; usually I can come in earlier than my normal 10:30 time.
5. They're also flexible if I need to change days, like this past week, when my normal Thursday was pre-empted by some day surgery.
6. They're aggressive about taking fluid off, but will abide by my preferences. Some days, I just don't want to handle that "washed-out" feeling because I need to work after the treatment. Other days, I feel up to challenging my dry weight a little more than usual. I never take off less than I have gained, so they're usually happy with that amount.
7. They reserve one of a couple of preferred chairs for me to bring out my laptop, iPhone and notes so I can keep up with work (close to an outlet, no direct sun in the window, left-side dialyzer). And they're happy to plug things in for my if I forget before getting hooked up.
8. The nurse manager, unit secretary and other staff are excellent and very responsive.
9. The unit doctor checks in on me even though I am not his patient, which I appreciate.
10. All the techs and nurses are taking great care with my new fistula to avoid damaging it. And they compare notes about the fistula is located and how it runs. I REALLY appreciate that attitude.
What I don't like about my dialysis center:
1. No ice chips, although they will fetch a cup or water or a very tasty protein bar (handy when I forget my snacks!).
2. Although we only get snow/ice rarely, they don't de-ice or plow the parking lot very well.
3. Early shift (6:30 am) patients who come in late make everything run late for the rest of the day, but the clinic managers can't seem to come up with an effective way to deal with it. Not sure I know what the solution is, either, but it is irritating.
Dialysis is inconvenient, to be sure, but I can't say I hate it. I hate that my kidneys have failed, but I really like the way I feel now, which is better than I have in years.
gary
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Sounds good Gary... pleases me to know your going to be 'ok' with it all.
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Why I love my dialysis centre????
No comment :rofl;
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Love ya, Des!
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I love my dialysis center. The nurses and techs are great and I am very friendly with many of them. The group of patients I have d with are also a great group. We do twilight M-W-F. Our starting time is 5:30 and we often get on early. We have a snack around 7pm - sandwich, cookies and tea. (they take 5 off for the tea! LOL). I read from my kindle or use my computer or talk to my neighbors. It is very quiet and some can sleep although I cannot not.
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I envy the sleepers - I've had one nap in 5 weeks. Too scared I'll move my arm. Would love to sleep the time away. It's great to read that some D units are pleasant places. Shame that they all aren't.
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I must say, that I have heard the horror stores of some centers.
Now, my center in Winter Garden, FL, I can't imagine me being at another. The Nurses are great, the Techs are great, and the Facility Administrator is fantastic. :cheer: They are so swamped with new patients, they can hire enough people quick enough. But, they do get help from the other centers in the area. The Dietitian and Social Worker, too, they are all top notch. If I have a question, all i have to do is ask, or email them, and they respond quickly and with TONS more info than what I asked for.
When I 1st started, I was having anxiety attacks, one after the other! :puke; It was horrible. Before they even poked me with a needle, my BP would bottom out from nerves. I've since overcome this fear (thank you XANAX), and now we all laugh about it. :rofl;
My Nurses and Technicians are the best! That is all I can say! They make my miserable Dialysis experience the best possible experience they can. They laugh and cut-up all day long. It is very light hearted, I don't know if it is because they are exhausted from working the crazy hours they put in, or because they are all just plain crazy, but whatever it is, I love it! But, if someone needs help or special attention (as I did when I first started) or if they are in need of something, they are right on top of it!
As far as time, I am always within my appointment time unless they have had some issues on the first two shifts with someone coming in late or having troubles. But I am always with 10-minutes of my scheduled time of being hooked up to my machine. Some days, they call me and ask if I can come in early, and on some days I ask them they same thing, so we try to accommodate each other. Some days, I admit I do have to wait, but it is to be expected. NOTHING runs 100%.
I think if you are not happy or comfortable with your center, then it is time to move along and find another. I know that I visited several centers in my area before I started, for just that reason. And let me tell you, I left some of the centers "RUNNING" because they are so nasty!!!!
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Glad to hear some of you love your centers. Here's my addition:
Why I liked my old center:
It was a 10 minute drive away from home.
Had a sexy Nephrologist there. Don't laugh its true!
Why I hated my old center:
One of the nurses put about 2.5cc of air into my catheter when putting me on once.
One of the other nurses said he would hold his breath while swapping the lines when the catheter was running sluggishly once. He didn't. Hold his breath that is. He breathed right in my catheter. He was too lazy to get up and get the mask he forgot to bring.
It was a nursing home. Most patients there have nose hairs older then me.
Bad cell phone signal because it's low elevation in the woods near the shore where they don't bother to put up cell phone towers.
Why I like my new center:
They train for nocturnal home hemo.
They are absolutely meticulous about everything!
Pegged cell phone power meter. It's in the heart of the city.
Neph is 9/10 rather than 10/10. Hey I ain't complaining.
Why I dislike my new center:
I uh....they don't give away free kidneys and beer?
Also no free guaranteed to win lottery tickets.
Longer commute.
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Calypso - :rofl;
Hazmat - it helps that the staff are happy and welcoming. Makes going there less of a chore and the time there more pleasant. I do my last haemo run tomorrow (and then back on PD) and have already bought a thankyou card and little gift for the staff. I know it's their job but I appreciate their care of me and their interest in me as a person, not just a patient.
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Calypso - :rofl;
Hazmat - it helps that the staff are happy and welcoming. Makes going there less of a chore and the time there more pleasant. I do my last haemo run tomorrow (and then back on PD) and have already bought a thankyou card and little gift for the staff. I know it's their job but I appreciate their care of me and their interest in me as a person, not just a patient.
That is very nice of you, I'm sure that will appreciate that gesture!
I know that I or my G/F makes "snacks" or something every once in a while, and bring in for the patients and staff, and they always seem to be appreciative.
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The head nurse at the clinic rang me when she heard about about my pending transplant and sounded as excited as me. This is while I was being admitted for the op. Good news travels fast. I was thrilled that she rang with her best wishes for the transplant and have recently written to let her and the rest of the team there know how I'm doing. And I was only a temp patient for 8 weeks.