not sure if right area to ask

[The Noob]

DH has been on Nxstage since Oct 28, 2011. He has a home hemo nurse we work with.
he had the switch a few months ago to medicare being primary now. been some issues with care since.

usually every month, he gets his supplies for home from nurse as far as heparin, needles, epo, etc.

the last few months have been a struggle to get these things on time, including lab tubes.

about 2 weeks ago he ran out of heparin, after trying to get it for 2 weeks. kept being told "its on the way".
couple days later we get a fed express package with 2 bottle of heparin. they are wrapped in a blue chux pad, both are open with no caps, and half empty.

asked his nurse what was this? she said she forgot (again) to put his order in, so grabbed 2 bottles from the clinic that were used by someone else.

i told her this was a No No as one reason we do this at home is to be more aware of quality control.

she says at the clinic, the heparin sits on the counter, and there is no special bottle for any one person. it is all used interchangeably for all patients. its wiped off with an alcohol pad.

i never knew this?

met with doc last week, nurse on another monthly vacation, he is not happy about this, but also confirms clinic use of heparin.

we did get the actual order sent in and recieved it. but doubt if this would have been taken care of without bringing it to attention of doc.

we have been told to re-use needles "because we are short this month". other things like this.

i could go on about various mistakes, some serious, some just frustrating.

doc had DH write it on paper, says he will go to admin with it, as other patients are having same complaints. nurse, if focused, is a very good one. but commonly seems more concerned with the "play" she does in clinic. "making it all fun and all".

she is only home dialysis nurse, both pd and HH.

we're waiting for a new clinic closer to us to accept HH patients.

just wondering if this is common?

[amanda100wilson]

from my experience, no, and it is also unacceptable.

[Speedy1wrc]

Wow, sad story. My nurse is the absolute best. She is very knowledgeable and more on top of things than I am for sure. She is one of the reasons I chose to go with Home Hmo, knowing I would get excellent care.

I order my own supplies. The nurse taught me how to do it and set up all the accounts so all I have to do is call and ask for my standard order. If I need anything changed I just tell them. If I miss my order call, they will call and email the nurse to see what's up. It works great.

Whenever you have quality issues as you seem to be having talk to your social worker If that fails move up one rung to the facility manager. Next call corporate and find out who the regional manager is. I wouldn't leave a message with anyone else as they will likely just refer your complaint back to the center. Failing that, your state will have a focused complaint line to contact. Your center should have given you information on how to contact the state during your initial evaluation on training. Your social worker whould hae this information.

What center are you going to?

[Jfksconset]

No no, not acceptable. Definitely call your social worker

[M3Riddler]

DH has been on Nxstage since Oct 28, 2011. He has a home hemo nurse we work with.
he had the switch a few months ago to medicare being primary now. been some issues with care since.

usually every month, he gets his supplies for home from nurse as far as heparin, needles, epo, etc.

the last few months have been a struggle to get these things on time, including lab tubes.

about 2 weeks ago he ran out of heparin, after trying to get it for 2 weeks. kept being told "its on the way".
couple days later we get a fed express package with 2 bottle of heparin. they are wrapped in a blue chux pad, both are open with no caps, and half empty.

asked his nurse what was this? she said she forgot (again) to put his order in, so grabbed 2 bottles from the clinic that were used by someone else.

i told her this was a No No as one reason we do this at home is to be more aware of quality control.

she says at the clinic, the heparin sits on the counter, and there is no special bottle for any one person. it is all used interchangeably for all patients. its wiped off with an alcohol pad.

i never knew this?

met with doc last week, nurse on another monthly vacation, he is not happy about this, but also confirms clinic use of heparin.

we did get the actual order sent in and recieved it. but doubt if this would have been taken care of without bringing it to attention of doc.

we have been told to re-use needles "because we are short this month". other things like this.

i could go on about various mistakes, some serious, some just frustrating.

doc had DH write it on paper, says he will go to admin with it, as other patients are having same complaints. nurse, if focused, is a very good one. but commonly seems more concerned with the "play" she does in clinic. "making it all fun and all".

she is only home dialysis nurse, both pd and HH.

we're waiting for a new clinic closer to us to accept HH patients.

just wondering if this is common?

In my opinion, I would have a talk with the nephrologist and let him/her know that this is going on.  Someone is not on the ball and not doing their job correctly.  You should get all new supplies, nothing opened.  If they give you opened heparin at the clinic, I would refuse it and ask for new vials.  You better believe they are charging you for it.