I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Centers => Topic started by: NurseNae on October 11, 2007, 12:17:26 PM
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I'm just a bit curious...what the feelings are towards reuse. What have been the past experiences or have you opted out of reuse?
I had a discussion with an LVN about reuse. She said dialyzers have been known to be used beyond their capacity, with suboptimal results and sent back to reuse for another cleaning! I can't say for sure but unless I was having a reaction to new dialyzers I would opt out of reuse....I think. To me it seems like a way to cut cost...afterall its all about saving a buck. *rolls eyes*
this turned out to be kinda' rant-ish...sorry all.
Nae
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Anything to save a buck I.M.O. I used a throw away for almost a year, only because when I first started dialysis, the re-use clotted. My neph quit and the Doctor who took me over switched me back to the re-use, which I been using for the past 6 months (not the same one LOL). I check the tag for use count every time I go in & get a new one every 30 uses.
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ok that works for me! I know of a few places that make the patient sign for their dialyzer as well as the tech... You know I'm finding that people on dialysis know what they need to do and what needs to be done more often then their renal team!
Nae
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I've never reused dialyzers, and I'm personally not a big fan of the idea. There's just too many opportunities for mistakes. I read on another site about a patient who accidentally received another patient's dialyzer. Nothing bad ended up happening, but that is a mistake that's unacceptable. Just my opinion, though. I'm sure there are people out there who have had very good experiences reusing dialyzers.
Adam
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AH YES....
I know somebody who loves to say.... "if you do it at Da---- , go to your locker and leave, don't tell your boss, cuz' your already fired"
Nae
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fresenisu stopped reuse several years ago and I am glad for it. You can have patients getting inadiquate dialysis from dialyzers that have been reprocessed too many times and patients can get VERY ill or die if the cleaning agent isn't completely removed from the dial before it's next use. Besides you shouldn't be getting allergic reactions to new dials anymore anyway just because of how they are made and sanitized. I am not sure about other manufacturers, but Fresenius's dials are extremly hypoalergenic and are now sterilzed using a special process that does not use chemicals which is where the main alergy problems come from.
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I am allergic to the reuse dilayzers. Either the renalyn or the fibers make me sicker than a dog.
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I won't reuse it.
...bd
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Reuse for our clinic ends at 99 uses!!! We do double sign for reuse dialyzers and also have the pt confirm it's thier dialyzer. We also double sign that renalin is cleared from the dialyzer before connecting any pt. I think 99 is way too many and we do get alot of failure due to clotting etc.
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We reuse.
Our names are on the dialyzers in permanent black marker. There is a sticker showing what use it is, the minimum capacity and what capacity it is at now and our names and when it was last processed.
They check before each run and show us that it has been cleared of Renalin and make sure we check to see it is our dialyzer.
Our max use is 20 and at anytime we can tell the staff we want the dialyzer pitched and want a new one.
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We do not reuse at my center.
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They don't reuse at my center, but I am told that in my home country that they do. In fact, one of my nurses here went on a course once in my country that dealt with reuse. That means that when I return home (shortly) they will be reusing. Not in a hurry for that.
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At my daughter's center we were given the option on reuse and we decided againest it. My main concern was that by human error she might be given someones elses and I wasn't comfortable with the margin of error. They may be having a bad day and be rushed and use the wrong one. Beings I was with Sarah 99% of the time when she was on dialysis, in the hospital etc. just seen "human error" happen too much for my comfort.
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Never done reuse.
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When Marvin was in-center hemo, his clinic did re-use (30 times before starting a new one). I questioned the re-use thing numerous times, but I was told, "That's what every clinic does." (Looking back, I know now that I shouldn't have accepted that answer -- but, we live and learn.) Marvin said he could always tell when the dialyizer was at the "end" of its time with him. He said his treatments felt less and less effective with each re-use; he said he didn't get as "clean" a run the longer the dialyizer was used.
Now, we're on home hemo, and it's a new dialyizer with every treatment. I think this is much, much better -- and so does Marvin.
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I learn something new from this site every day. My clinic has our names p-touched on the dialyzer. I was told to make sure MY name was on it before I sat in the chair. I would assume by this thread that they re-use. I'll look closer tomorrow morning and ask how many uses.
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My people explained the procedure in my orientation and I signed it was ok. They admitted it was cost saving and also explained the benefits to the patient, how long, etc. Plus instruction on readin Your Name on label and checking "NO BLUS" like a pregnancy test to verifiy it was cleaned properly, etc.
You could opt out but IDGAF
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I formally worked for Davita and I hated re-use mainly due to the risk to patients. I have seen way too many times the wrong dialyzer set up and started on a patient because pcts' were stressed for time and backed up. With only one RN on the floor it's hard for the nurse to check everything plus give meds, do assessments, etc. Also I have seen way too many renalin reactions that were chalked up to the patients other health issues. They are supposed to drain over 200ml out first then just drip the venous line on to the renalin check strip. Instead I would see them just test on the strip at full flow from the arterial line which doesnt ensure renalin is cleared. We also used ours up to 99 times!!! Pts have every right to refuse re-use and if it was my family member and knowing what I do now I would never allow it. It only takes one mistake!! Where I am now we use dry packs and I love them.
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When I first started working in dialysis, I began as a reuse tech. I work for Fresenius. Fresenius did not use renalin as a disinfectant, they used formaldehyde. I saw a few times where the wrong dialyzer was given to a patient. It didn't happen very often, but it did happen. There was also the potential reaction to residual formaldehyde to a patient, depending on his/her sensitivity. Despite the rigorous testing to be certain all formaldehyde was removed.
Fresenius' policy regarding reuse was a maximum of 25 uses. If the dialyzer fell below 80% volume from its' initial use, it was discarded. So I had some dialyzers that would get a full 25 uses, and some that would as few as 3 or 4 uses. Also, the reuse tech could reject any dialyzer and replace it for aesthetics, or almost any other reason that came to them. Also, the patient could reject his dialyzer if he didn't like the looks of it.
Personally, I was glad when Fresenius went to non-reuse. Much safer for the patient. Always a new dialyzer with maximum clearance capability. The dialyzers are sterilized with an electron beam, so there is no danger of allergic reaction due to a residual chemical.
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I am allergic to the reuse dilayzers. Either the renalyn or the fibers make me sicker than a dog.
How did you know you were allergic to the reuse dialyzer. What kind of reaction did you get? The center where my mom goes is Davita and they do a test for chlorine each time the dialyzer is used. The rinse is done in front of us and the test strip may show positive a couple of times before it shows clear. When it shows clear, they hook Mom up.
3-11-2011
Mom nolonger uses reusable dializers. After several days of having reactions, they switched her to disposable dialyzers. They rinse them three times with saline, because she was still reacting to something in the unit. Her neph suggested a triple rince and this seems to help. If the tech trys to shortcut it doesn't do the triple rinse she has a reaction within the first 15 minutes. This triple rinse seems to have stopped her shaking and racing heartrate. This along with controling her fluid levels, how much they are drawing, and keeping her sugars level during dialysis has made dialysis tolerable. It has been almost 3 years now and she still gets up 4 times a week and heads off to the center on her own. ONE HELL OF A WOMAN at 82.
I thank God for finding this website and appreciate all of you for your input, postings, sense of humor, and all around support. :clap; IHD people :2thumbsup;
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I had high fevers after dialysis and felt run down and awful for ages. I went to the ER seven times in two months with fever of 102-103. They even thought I had lymphoma at one time. A head nurse and I back tracked the dialyzer usage and figured out the fevers started when they changed dialyzers on me. They put me on a new dialyzer and we stopped any reuse after that episode.
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hi there most of the Dialysis center here in Philippines they are using the method of re-use dialyzer on my 1st center asian renal care they only allowed 10 uses before change then on my 2nd center nephrology center of manila 12 uses 3rd center fresinius 10 uses now hemotek renal center 15 uses... on last 1 year and 9 month i been to 4 dialysis center because iam looking for cheaper price
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My unit use to have re-use dialyzers and I use to be the one that cleaned them. In my opinion go with non-reuse. When cleaning them I was told try not to fail them and push them through their tests so that are numbers stayed good. Also, the chemicals used are horrible. If they are not checked right you could be infused with that chemical that could cause more sickness or death if enough was infused. After hearing some of the stories about the staff at some centers, I wouldn't trust them. Even if they are checked by 2 people. Mistakes happen and this is not one that should. Again, I think it is too risky and not worth the chance of causing more health concerns.
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Last year we had reuse but on Jan 1 this year it switched. I think, but can't verify, that the state of Texas started the new requirements. I feel a little safer -- especially after reason some or your posts here.
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My center has just started reusing the dializers. I personally do not like it because no one can assure me that this method is germ free. I was told today that the dializer can be used 90 times. We are asked to verified our name on the dializer and that a test strip is clear. There has been a mix up when there were two different names on it. I do not know how that was resolved. How safe is this. Is this a money saving move of the d centers?
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If you don't like it, OPT OUT, it is your right!
It is more than money saving. I understand they are reimbursed the same without regard to whether or not a new dialyzer is used.
We used to reuse because that's the direction the clinics lead you in when you first start dialysis and there was no one at the time of any potential problems. Human error and sloppiness are the problems with reuse.
We opted out of reuse when I saw his tech hang his dialyzer down into the hazardous medical waste bin with the top port resting on the top of the bin and the bottom port down in the bin exposed to whoever else's contamination was down in that bin. In principle reuse may be okay, but the people involved make it too risky.
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my unit reuses, the dializers are marked.. they are placed in a plastic bag after use. 2 tech;s verify the dializers before each use. I have been on dialysis for 5 years without a problem
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Heck, I don't know if when husband was in-center they used reuse or not! Thank the Lord for NxStage! We control all of his treatments!
lmunchkin :kickstart;
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[It has been my experience, here in california, that many of the units that have reuse, have also been cited during their inspection. Some of the common cited deficiencies I have noted have been staff not checking per the facility policy/procedure for ensuring the correct dialyzer goes to the right patient, and disinfecting. These surveys, specifically Davita, who uses reuse can be viewed at www.qualitysafepatientcare.com You can, and it is your right to ask for the staff to use a new dialyzer each time. Upon admission the facility should be providing you with documents addressing such, with pros and cons, explanations, etc of reuse
Roberta Mikles BA RN
Dialysis Patient Safety Advocate
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dh uses davita. the first day i brought him he was pretty weak and sick and out of it. he could barely walk and i got him in wheelchair in lobby. we had no orientation for in-center prior. nurse comes out and i am telling her he is about to pass out (he really was and did) yet she holds out a stack of papers for him to sign, one being about re-use. papers were not explained to him, just that he needed to sign. i said i didn't believe he was in right mind to do so. she ignored me and had him sign them anyway. he couldn't hardly hold pen.
later we had him cancel re-use and he is pretty sure they are using disposables now. have to inquire next time.
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are reuse dializer's larger and more efficent than none reuse?
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You can file a complaint with you state.. the facility had him sign a paper/document of which he was unaware what was written on the paper..Davita is suppose to EXPLAIN in full the pros and cons of reuse... end of story. I have heard from patients that they do not do this, and, in fact, to recall several units in California were cited for such. Shame on those nurses and technicians who would allow that to happen to your husband.. But, considering what my father went through, nothing surprises me. Report them.. of course, CMS has never taken any kind of action e.g. consequences when there is noncompliance. Even if a patient dies as the result of a preventable error the facility does not get fined.
Interesting that Medicare/CmS does not reimburse hospitals for certain events, but they continue to pay dialysis providers even in spite of the facilities NOT adhering to the regulations. Maybe I am off here.. but, if CMS agrees to pay the facility e.g. reimburse them if they comply with regulations...well, HELLO.. what happened here? Facilities continue to get paid. The new QIP is also not addressing the day to day care... HELLO CMS.. take a good look at these surveys,, SHAME ON YOU for not attempting to get legislators to change the rules and have some real consequences for providers that place patients in potential or actual harm's way
opinions of Roberta Mikles BA RN
Dialysis patient Safety Advocate
www.qualitysafepatientcare.com
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When I first started D I was with Fresienus and they did not reuse...I never had any real problems except sometimes at the end of treatment I would be really sick....anyway when I went to CDC they started using reuse and I was extremely itchy. The clinic kept brushing it off saying, "Oh it is your phospherous." But every month my labs came back in normal range...finally I told the doc I wanted nonreuse and would change clinics if I was forced to continue to use reuse dialyzers.....wouldn't ya know when I switched the itchy stopped! I say no to reuse!!
xo,
R
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My thing is, Why would anyone want to Reuse anything that requires sterile and/or sanitary conditions especially with D. It is very disturbing to hear that this has been a common practice within clinics and not to mention, covering their "asses" by having the patient sign off on their first day in center! I had no idea of this happening and can promise, that I will find out if clinic used reuse on J.
I say no to reuse!!
xo,
R
Absolutely, No to Reuse!
lmunchkin :kickstart;
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The bottom line is that patients need to be fully educated when they are asked to sign papers, etc. I have found, from my expeience in California, especially, that Davita facilities are cited,more than they should be, for not providing such information. I also receive calls from patients, in Davita units, who state they are unaware of such reuse pros/cons, etc. WHAT IS of greater concern is that facility policies and procedures are not followed in many units, e.g. checking that the correct dialyzer is given to the right patient. This is evident in some surveys. I remember a spokesperson,a while back, during an interview with a reporter (about a situation in a unit) making a statement that they were going to increase their policy from two staff check to three staff checking. Ridiculous.. As a retired nurse, my suggestion to Davita would be to ensure that staff know the consequences for their actions and that they are responsible for conducting correct practices and if not there are consequences, which in my opinion are not strong enough. The lack of unit supervision is obvious inthese facilities.
above opinions of Roberta Mikles BA RN Dialysis Patient safety Advocate
www.qualitysafepatientcare.com
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We also got the song and dance about dialyzer reuse when my hubby started dialysis in May. We signed the paper to OK reuse of his dialyzer. The longer we are at his unit, the more we see issues with a small percentage of the staff. I see no reason to take ANY chance of human error.
How do we OPT OUT now ? Do we need to put a statement in writing? If you have "opted out", how did you do it ? ? ?
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As a Dialysis Patient Safety Advocate, I fully support noahvale's statement. It is your right, etc. Often, when starting dialysis, this is not fully explained to patients. It is my opinion, from the surveys I have reviewed in Califonria (specifically Davita), that there are significant problems with staff not following the facility policy/procedure for reuse. This, also in my opinion, is from a lack of adequate education/trianing and unit level oversight. It is also my opinion that staff do not understand the consequences of giving the wrong dialyzer to the wrong patient
Roberta Mikles RN
www.qualitysafepatientcare.com
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Thanks so much NoahVale and dialysisadvocate -- We will begin trying to rescind the form we signed. My hubbys schedule is Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and it can be hard to catch the social worker or facility administrator on those days. But at least, now we know how to begin.
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Omg, here in Canada, where I'm from in Ontario, They do not reuse. In fact, I don't think centers reuse them in Canada period. I wouldn't want mine reused.
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All anyone has to do is to tell your dialysis technician, who is putting you on diaysis, that you don't want reuse. They should be providing this information to their charge nurse and/or unit adminstrator. It is your right to refuse to have reuse. They should be able to provide you, at your request, with a single use dialzyer. If not, then, something is wrong.
I am not stating all units that do reuse have problems. However, my opinion, as I have stated, after reading dialysis surveys, from California, and other states over past years, that there are too many staff who do not comply wtih the facility policies and procedures. One staff not complying when it comes to reuse if one too many....
You can ask for a copy of your facility's inspection (survey) report. I am guessing that most unit will give you some excuse as to why they can't provide such, or refer you to the state for a copy. This is why I started posting California surveys to my website www.qualitysafepatientcare.com All you have to do is call the state and request a copy of the facility's survey. It is shameful that CMS posts to their 'dialysis facility compare' data but will NOT post the surveys. Nursing homes MUSt post in public view their surveys, why not dialysis units.
Indeed reading the surveys can be frightening but it can also be very educational. If the survey, for instance if cited in infection control,, e.g. staff not washing their hands prior to putting on gloves, or not checking the reuse dialzyer (name and patient) then you are aware what staff should be doing.
Above opinions of Roberta Mikles RN BA
Dialysis Patient Safety Advocate
www.qualitysafepatientcare.com
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I want to thank you Roberta & Noah for bringing this to patients attention. Iam not the one with this disease and I shudder to think that this could have been done with my husband. Yes maybe his clinic at that time followed proper protocol, but I highly doubt that ALL of those techs did. This is another example of why we chose to do home hemo with NxStage!
lmunchkin :kickstart; :flower;
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are reuse dializer's larger and more efficent than none reuse?
That's a good question to ask. Back when I was incenter the choice was between an F-80 with reuse and an Alwal (sp? it's been a while) for non reuse. The F80 was the superior artificial kidney.
The Aksys PHD reused its F80 and its blood circuit. It used a sterile hot water disinfect. This was a huge advantage because with reuse the blood circuit was made of silicone instead of PVC. I would much rather dialyze on a reused Aksys blood circuit than the disposable NxStage circuit.
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I would much rather dialyze on a reused Aksys blood circuit than the disposable NxStage circuit.
I know nothing about the whole issue of reuse, so could you explain this statement? I would have thought that a one-use, disposable circuit would have been better, but then again, I don't even know what a "blood circuit" actually is!
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I would much rather dialyze on a reused Aksys blood circuit than the disposable NxStage circuit.
I know nothing about the whole issue of reuse, so could you explain this statement? I would have thought that a one-use, disposable circuit would have been better, but then again, I don't even know what a "blood circuit" actually is!
With reuse you can use better quality materials. The Aksys used a blood tubing made out of silicone instead of the standard plastic blood tubing set that are single use disposable.
With the Aksys - which was for home use only - you left the blood tubing in place between treatments and the machine did a hot water disinfect cycle. The disinfect process would leave the protein coat that forms on the blood tubing in place - this I believe made the Aksys the most bio compatible dialysis I have have ever had ... there is a lot of plastic involved with each NxStage treatment.
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So, what made you move to NxStage? Was it the portability of the system one? Did you weigh out the pros and cons and came up with NxStage? Do you feel different than how you felt with the other Aksys thingy? ('Scuse my fancy medical jargon.)
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So, what made you move to NxStage? Was it the portability of the system one? Did you weigh out the pros and cons and came up with NxStage? Do you feel different than how you felt with the other Aksys thingy? ('Scuse my fancy medical jargon.)
They ripped the Aksys from my home when the company folded in January 2007.
I trained to use the NxStage in August 2006 so for those few months I could use the Aksys at home and the NxStage for travel - the best of both worlds.
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So, what made you move to NxStage? Was it the portability of the system one? Did you weigh out the pros and cons and came up with NxStage? Do you feel different than how you felt with the other Aksys thingy? ('Scuse my fancy medical jargon.)
They ripped the Aksys from my home when the company folded in January 2007.
I certainly didn't expect THAT answer!!!
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So, what made you move to NxStage? Was it the portability of the system one? Did you weigh out the pros and cons and came up with NxStage? Do you feel different than how you felt with the other Aksys thingy? ('Scuse my fancy medical jargon.)
They ripped the Aksys from my home when the company folded in January 2007.
I certainly didn't expect THAT answer!!!
http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=2371.msg32908#msg32908
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oooh, 2007. Long time ago. May I ask...which other systems did you consider, and how did you arrive at your decision to use NxStage? Which elements of the whole equation influenced you the most? Did you ever seriously consider going back incenter? Are you presently looking at any new machines which may be available soon for home hemo? What feature might a new machine have that would make you consider leaving NxStage?
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My advice which is my opinion, after reading surveys and talking with many, many patients, is the following:
If you can do home dialysis DO IT You have more control of your life...............many take less medications, feel better, etc..
Roberta Mikles BA RN Dialysis Patient Safety Advocate
www.qualitysafepatientcare.com
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Quote from Bill Peckman
With reuse you can use better quality materials. The Aksys used a blood tubing made out of silicone instead of the standard plastic blood tubing set that are single use disposable.
Bill, do you know of any case where if made a differents in patients from using the plastic blood tubing? I know that we are to inspect all materials for defects, but this concerns me now! Is there actually plastic going into my husbands bloodstream? Or some residue from the plastic blood tubes?
My goodness, is there something else I should be concerned with?
lmunchkin :kickstart;
P.S. Please understand, I want the best dialysis my husband can get, that I can still work at my job!
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Quote from Bill Peckman
With reuse you can use better quality materials. The Aksys used a blood tubing made out of silicone instead of the standard plastic blood tubing set that are single use disposable.
Bill, do you know of any case where if made a differents in patients from using the plastic blood tubing? I know that we are to inspect all materials for defects, but this concerns me now! Is there actually plastic going into my husbands bloodstream? Or some residue from the plastic blood tubes?
My goodness, is there something else I should be concerned with?
lmunchkin :kickstart;
P.S. Please understand, I want the best dialysis my husband can get, that I can still work at my job!
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/PublicHealthNotifications/ucm062182.htm (http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/PublicHealthNotifications/ucm062182.htm)
Aksys is no longer in business so I think it is just something we have to accept.
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Well, as the article specified, high levels, but as you say, it is something we have to accept! Ok, I get it about the plastic, but seriously, SILICONE? Seems like that would be worse as far as it getting in to the blood stream! Oh well, what do I know!
Thanks for the extra stress, BILL! LOL, just kidding!
lmunchkin :kickstart;
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I used my dialyzer the 67th time today, 100 and I get a new one
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Wanted to let the forum know that we did rescind the form for reuse. Hubby is now getting the one time dialyzer, so that is one less issue for us to think about. Thanks Everyone ! :2thumbsup;
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I didn't know that any centers reused dialyzers! Mine always uses the single use disposable.
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Is your center a Fresenius ? I have heard that they quit reuse sometime in the past. Our DaVita center certaintly DOES push reuse. I imagine it saves them some money - and its all about the money :sarcasm;
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Is your center a Fresenius ? I have heard that they quit reuse sometime in the past. Our DaVita center certaintly DOES push reuse. I imagine it saves them some money - and its all about the money :sarcasm;
I'm sure it is just a coincidence that Fresenius makes artificial kidneys.
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Sharing a story --- when my father was at his FMC unit, there was a staff (technician) who worked at another facility (not an FMC unit). This technician told us that at the unit he was told to use the dialyzer more than it should have been used. I forget the number of times this technician said the dialyzer should have been used.. but the nurse told the technician to use it more than it should have been
Roberta
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Sharing a story --- when my father was at his FMC unit, there was a staff (technician) who worked at another facility (not an FMC unit). This technician told us that at the unit he was told to use the dialyzer more than it should have been used. I forget the number of times this technician said the dialyzer should have been used.. but the nurse told the technician to use it more than it should have been
Roberta
why do you think that happened ?
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Is your center a Fresenius ? I have heard that they quit reuse sometime in the past. Our DaVita center certaintly DOES push reuse. I imagine it saves them some money - and its all about the money :sarcasm;
I'm sure it is just a coincidence that Fresenius makes artificial kidneys.
Yep, my center is a Fresenius.
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I have been on Hemo for 13 years. I stared with Reuse and then went to the throw away filter. After about 3 months on the throw away I started to have serious reactions to them and could manage if lucky a 1/2 hour run. It is because of the chemical Ethylene oxide that is in the single use Dialyzers and causes severe reaction in a few people much like a First user reaction. If I had stayed on those I wouldn't have made it simply put.
There are Pro's and Cons to both types.. for me the Reuse is a Pro for sure. I like it because I have a membrane buildup of my blood cells in there that is compatible with my body. I have never had a issue with Infection or known anyone on the days I run with this issue from them during my 13 years. The short time I was on the 1 use ones was at another center and out of the 30 patients that I ran with there was several that had issues with them. Until something improves in the area of the 1 use model I simply will stay on Reuse for now.
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My unit use to have re-use dialyzers and I use to be the one that cleaned them. In my opinion go with non-reuse. When cleaning them I was told try not to fail them and push them through their tests so that are numbers stayed good. Also, the chemicals used are horrible. If they are not checked right you could be infused with that chemical that could cause more sickness or death if enough was infused. After hearing some of the stories about the staff at some centers, I wouldn't trust them. Even if they are checked by 2 people. Mistakes happen and this is not one that should. Again, I think it is too risky and not worth the chance of causing more health concerns.
Thank you for your honesty.
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opinions of Roberta Mikles BA RN - Dialysis Patient Safety Advocate
Advocates4QualitySafePatientCare www.qualitysafepatientcare.com
(1) I was informed by a technician, who moonlighted at a facility where they did reuse, (California) that he was instructed to use the dialyzors past the date he felt was safe ---
(2) Reuse is probably safe - however, in reading the California surveys (inspection reports ) www.qualitysafepatientcare.com it is alarming to see the number of mistakes that were done as a result of staff NOT following policies and procedures for ensuring that reuse procedures were carried out correctly.
(3) MORE alarming and of concern is that patients are given the wrong dialyzer - there are procedures to check to ensure the right patient gets the right dialyzer -- If staff are implementing policies and procedures of their facility, there is NO reason that any patient should be getting another patient's dialyzer
I remember, a while back, one of the providers made media attention when a wrong dialyzer was give to a patient -- the corporate spokesperson stated that they would increase their policy from two staff checking to three staff checking. HELLO -- this is NOT necessary especially when staff are already, maybe, overworked having to get patients in and out quickly... All that needs to be done is to RE=EDUCATE staff and have effective training/education and ongoing inservies -- as well as effective UNIT LEVEL SUPERVISION - to ensure correct practices are implemented.
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I'm just a bit curious...what the feelings are towards reuse. What have been the past experiences or have you opted out of reuse?
I had a discussion with an LVN about reuse. She said dialyzers have been known to be used beyond their capacity, with suboptimal results and sent back to reuse for another cleaning! I can't say for sure but unless I was having a reaction to new dialyzers I would opt out of reuse....I think. To me it seems like a way to cut cost...afterall its all about saving a buck. *rolls eyes*
this turned out to be kinda' rant-ish...sorry all.
Nae
I certainly would not accept a reused filter. Not only do they lose their viability and break down with each treatment, why should you accept 2nd hand when there is no reason why they cannot use a new filter with each treatment.
iIm willing to be that the insurance is still paying for a new filter even though they are using them over and over.
Also, did you know that they use Formaldeyde to clean them? Yes, they test to make sure it is removed, but this is not something I would want in my opinion.
Also, there is chance where you may recieve someone else's filter by mistake. There are procedures to prevent this, but it does happen - Not often, but still occurs.
You deserve new equipment with each treatment. it is affecting your body, not the clinics....They are ust trying to save money and has nothing to do with the quality of your treatments...