Clinic Visits

[alrightstill]

Hellllloooooo party people!   

I'm an old member, back on the big d.    I had a transplant for 7 years, and see not toooo much has changed with NxStage since then.  BUT --- clinic/doc visits.  I used to go to the clinic once a month and see my doc once a month (maybe even once every 3 months).  But now I see the doc in the clinic with my dialysis nurse just standing there, in the same room just listening in.  Is this the new norm?    It's not that I have "secrets" or anything I dont want her knowing, its just I'd also like my privacy with my doctor that I've had for 15 years (the dialysis nurse I've only known since November).   Is it like this for everyone?

[Charlie B53]

It would not surprise me if Insurance Companies have forced Dr's to have a Witness, NEVER to be left alone with a Female Patient.

If this isn't Policy yet, it soon will be.  Insurance Companies have been on the hook for Millions in claims.  We see it in the news maybe not daily, but every week.  Another case sort of local to me the Dr is accused of 'touching' females patients inappropriately.  This could easily end his career.

Keep this in mind as a  possible reason for the Nurse being present even though we may think she is not needed.

It's almost insulting to think that mos Patients cannot be trusted any more than you would think you could not trust your Dr.

This Society is pretty messed up.

[alrightstill]

Wow!! I never even thought of that!! I thought she was just being a Nosey Nancy (because she's super SUPER nosey). 

[Simon Dog]

I've been doing home D for about 5 years, and the clinic appointments have always been with the MD and RN.  The RN has the info on my treatments, and is my primary contact for dialysis Rx adjustments during the month.   Don't get any private face time with the MD unless I have another reason to see him, or have an issue to deal with on the phone.  Great RN though (now 2); doesn't bother me.

[MRSD]

If you need to discuss something in private with the doctor , just politely ask. They will usually be accommodating . I do it all the time for things that I don't want to discuss in front of the nurses .

[Hootie]

For us it was the same as Simon Dog said. We wanted the nurse in the room. She has the details and opens dialog for doctor. We were a team working for the patient! We loved our entire dialysis team we had! Davita was great to us!

[Vt Big Rig]

In Indiana at FMC I had the nurse and doc in there together. Here  in Vermont they come in separately. I liked the team approach better.