DaVita: Investigation into deaths likely the result of one employee's criminal actBy JESSICA SAVAGE
The Lufkin Daily News
Friday, May 16, 2008
A police investigation into a recent spike in patient deaths at the DaVita Lufkin Dialysis Center is believed to be the result of a criminal act by an employee who has since been fired, a company spokesman said Friday.
"We believe the events that led to our voluntarily closing the Lufkin Dialysis center are the result of a criminal act by an individual who has been terminated and is no longer working at the center," said DaVita spokesman Michael Chee.
Lufkin Police Department confirmed it is investigating allegations of criminal intent by one employee, saying it is a "large part of the investigation" but "not the entire focus of the investigation," said spokesman Lt. David Young.
"The investigation is focused on a lot of things, including an investigation into one person," Young said.
Chee said the employment of the teammate, a term the company uses for its employees, was terminated April 29, a day after the company contacted state health investigators and LPD about a recent spike in patient deaths and life-threatening complications.
DaVita and LPD are not releasing further information about the employee because of the ongoing investigation. No arrests have been made, and no charges filed, Young said.
CommentsBy Anonymous
May 16, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
Like DaVita would actually think to be watching for someone to deliberately harm a patient... Come on. Donıt you think that MAYBE that is why it has taken so long for them to do their investigation? And why would the LPD have been involved from the beginning. I'm sure DaVita didn't want to believe a person could be capable of doing something like this.
By familymember
May 16, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
Did yall see today's newspaper story under breaking news? I knew something like this was going to happen. They are gonna blame it all on one tech and the company will come out smelling like a rose. I am not saying that it isn't possible...certainly nobody from Davita would notice if something like that were going on, but one person at the bottom of the totem pole was not the whole problem, it just doesn't add up to me.
By unknown
May 16, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
I know if I had lost a loved one in all of this, the companys lack of communication would make me think they could care less and would make me want to file a lawsuit against them even more. They seem to be more concerned with their reputation than with the lives lost.
By Roberta Mikles RN Health Care Patient Advocate
May 16, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
The health care industry, including dialysis, is always concerned about law suits, and this might be part of the problem. To recall, many years ago there was a study, in a hospital, that showed when health care providers are honest and upfront about errors, there was a decrease in law suits filed. There is also information available stating that those at the receiving end of errors are more forgiving of staff/providers, when there is honesty about errors. Then, we must not forget the 'ppp's - powerful prevailing politics - that are ever-present. Delivery of health care is also about humane treatment and compassion. It is my wish, and, I am sure others, to see a health care industry, especially one such as dialysis, have a change in thinking from protected disclosure of information to full disclosure including providing information when errors are made. I believe that patients should be involved in those activities that can improve care in units and have stated such in some articles I have written. However, it would only be to Davita's advantage, not to mention the relief of those grieving families and those patients who will be returning to the unit, to meet with those who have concerns, or had concerns (patient, families, staff) as this would strengthen and support efforts in improving delivery of care. Those, such as patients/families can provide valuable information related to patient safety. The only way you might ever know the full details is by reading the state survey report findings and hope that those conducting the investigation were fully trained in identifying problems. It is also important to remember that until the final report is available, we do not know if this was the result of lack of staff training, lack of unit supervision, lack of medical director oversight, lack of adequate staffing, or a problem non-related to the inner workings of the unit i.e. something that the unit had no control over. Regardless, we must continue to provide support for those that are grieving the loss of a loved one and to support those patients who, according to comments, might be fearful of returning. And, again, this is where these patients and their families need reassurance from Davita as well as to be able to directly communicate with them. It is interesting, as I previously stated, to recall, that if the airlines can meet with families when there is a crash, then what is wrong with this picture? Do facilities need to be inspected more often than every three years? In some states, restaurants are inspected more than dialysis units. Roberta Mikles RN Health Care Patient Advocate RMiklesRN@aol.com (an unapologetic advocate for safe delivery of care).
By family member too
May 16, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
My best guess is that they are concerned there could be a lawsuit heading their direction. Otherwise, they would have at least offered up a condolence call.
By unknown
May 16, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
The family members who lost loved ones should not have to wait to read it in the paper. Davita should have enough decency and morality to contact the families instead of them having to read the results in the paper. That is just wrong.
By family member too
May 16, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
Talked to State Health Deparment yesterday regarding our complaint. The man told me that the report will be forthcoming in about 1 - 2 weeks but to keep looking for articles in paper. He said the reporters usually get the story to the paper before an explanation reaches us by mail. If you call all they will say is "due to the integrity of the investigation we cannot comment at this time." Please Jessica, stay on top of this story so we can find out the information we are waiting for.
By family member
May 16, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
I am so sorry to hear about all these family member passing away. my spouse goes to Davita now in Livingston since this started and was told that they would go back to regular schedule today so they went no one there. They had to contacted Davita this morning to be told they were not opening back up until next Friday If they would not have called would my spouse had dailysis today? thanks alot for the notice Davita.
By family
May 16, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this
No we have not been contacted by Davita at all, we have talked with a few other people who have lost someone since April 1.
By unknown
May 15, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
The third person that day? Wow. That makes it even worse. Has the company contacted you at all with any kind of explaination?
By unknown
May 15, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
The third person that day? Wow. That makes it even worse. Has the company contacted you at all with any kind of explaination?
By unknown
May 15, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
The third person that day? Wow. That makes it even worse. Has the company contacted you at all with any kind of explaination?
By family
May 15, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
My Mother passed away on April 1, 2008 at DaVita. She went to dialysis on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from approx. 11:00 to 4 pm. If you were there that day (Tuesday 4-1-08)will you please write in I would really like to speak to someone that was sitted next to her. If you have a family member that has passed away please write in and give the dates we were told by the security guard at Memorial that mother was the third person to die on this day from there.
By family
May 15, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
My Mother passed away on April 1, 2008 at DaVita. She went to dialysis on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from approx. 11:00 to 4 pm. If you were there that day (Tuesday 4-1-08)will you please write in I would really like to speak to someone that was sitted next to her. If you have a family member that has passed away please write in and give the dates we were told by the security guard at Memorial that mother was the third person to die on this day from there.
By unknown
May 15, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this
yet another article, but still no answers.
By Roberta Mikles RN Health Care Patient Advocate
May 14, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
ESRD dialysis facility survey reports (F2567)will show you what was found during this investigation. You can request a copy through the Texas Dept of State Health Services. You might have to pay the going rate for per page i.e. 25 cents, etc. You can obtain a survey report for any facility through any of the state survey agencies in any state. Medicare/Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) contracts with each state to conduct surveys every three years. CMS relies on states to ensure facilities are in compliance with federal regulations, which are minimum standards. However, when surveys are conducted, surveyors will be able to determine if the facility is following their own policies and procedures as well as other specific guidelines related to infection control (CDC)and those related to water treatment,as well as related to dialyzer reuse. If the facility reuses dialyzers then there are very strict guidelines that must be implemented.(and, of course for water treatment as well). The following is who to contact to obtain information on process of receiving a copy of recent, or other, surveys at this facility.
Texas Department of State Health Services 1-888-973-0022
It is important, again, for readers to know that delivery of care in dialysis units encompasses a wide continuum of care from less than standard to excellent and it takes a team (patients and staff working together to improve situations).
Roberta Mikles, RN BA Health Care Patient Advocate RMiklesRN@aol.com As I have had many emails, please feel free to email if there are questions.
By unknown
May 14, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
someone else on here said they were opening back up on Friday. I honestly don't see how, in good conscience, they can open that place back up without offering some answers to all of these questions. At the very least to the ones who lost family members in this tragedy. If I were a pt. there, I would be scared to go back not knowing what the problem was in the first place. I know some have no choice but to go there. Have some decency davita, talk to these people and give them some answers. You owe them at least that much.
By a spouse
May 14, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
My family member has been told that they will reopen this Friday? has anyone else heard this and what has come of the investigation? will we every get the truth? Davita your patients and their families deserve to know what the results of the investigations IS! I do not believe that Davita is as bad as some of public are stating but, there is ovbiously problems wouldn't you say? need to revaluate your staff and procedures on how you handle ALL patients not just certain ones. If I am not mistaking we are all taxpayers and all have to pay medicare preminums that pays your salaries so you need to serve all your patients to the BEST of your ability. not just do what you think is sufficent PLEAE KEEP IN MIND YOU HAVE OUR FAMILIES IN YOUR HANDS!
By family memeber
May 14, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
I know we deserve some answers to what has been discovered from this so called investigation? My spouse and I have put him health (including dialysis) in Our God's hand, we know that people are not perfect but, you have to remember that this (dialysis) requires VERY trained personnel and Davita you need to find quailfied personnel and keep them by do what is right providing on going training and higher salaries after evaluation not just from higher stff members but, also the patients. Davita listen to them we are tax payers and also have to pay medicare premiums so let our families get the medical treatment we deserve. My spouse has felt better lately since going to another facility and some of the other families have stated this what is wrong? Please for all our sakes Davita fix it and now!
By Roberta Mikles RN Health Care Patient Advocate
May 13, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
The below information is for 'family member' who posted, requesting information, as well as others who have emailed me. I noted that the prior information was for Florida, and not Texas, therefore, accept my apologies - puter glitch-copy/paste.
The information below is from the website:
http://www.esrdnetwork.org/patients/complaints.aspIt appears, from many posts, that some of the initial suggestions below have already been tried. I wish you all the best in this most difficult time. Roberta Mikles RN BA Health Care Patient Advocate, San Diego, California - RMiklesRN@aol.com
If you are unhappy with the care or treatment you receive at your dialysis clinic or transplant center, or if you have a complaint about your care, you have the right to file a complaint. Here's how to file your complaint:
Firstıtry to talk to your nurse, doctor, or social worker about the problem. It is possible there is a simple explanation. Even if there is not a simple explanation, it may be possible for you and the clinic to work out a solution to the problem that could result in better care for you and other patients.
Nextıif talking does not resolve the problem, or if you feel you cannot discuss your problem with the staff at your clinic, you can go directly to the regional administrator or even the corporate office of your dialysis company or transplant unit. The names and phone numbers of these people should be posted in the waiting room of you clinic.
Finallyıif none of the above actions work or if you feel your clinic or corporation cannot help you, call one of the Toll Free numbers below for help.
Texas Department of State Health Services
(888) 973-0022
OR
The ESRD Network of Texas
(877) 886-4435
If you contact the Network for help, WE CAN:
Give you names and phone numbers of people you can speak to at your clinic's corporate offices.
Give you information about Medicare regulations and your rights under Medicare.
Contact the clinic and conduct a confidential investigation into you complaint, which may include one of more of the following actions:
Requesting medical records
Interviewing staff members or patients and asking for details about a complaint
If necessary, visiting a clinic in person
Confidential means we will not tell anyone at the facility or clinic your name, unless you give us permission to do so.
By Saddened Citizen
May 13, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
To all: patients, family members, patient advocates/caregivers I applaud you from hundreds of miles away for SPEAKING UP and advocating for your loved ones on dialysis. You have my deepest sympathy for the patients and families who are grieving. I know there must be "teammates" who are also grieving. I support your efforts because Davita is a huge corporation that can give an enormous amount of lip-service to their self-proclaimed greatness as the "provider of choice." In reality, they do not provide adequate oversight and training in other Davita clinics in the country. The middle and upper management get their "pounds of gold" at the expense of quality care to patients. As a tax payer, I am outraged at the low pay they give to their direct care staff who have our loved ones lives in their hands on a daily basis. Was high turn-over in direct care staff related to the Lufkin clinic problems? Experienced direct care staff are hard to find, and Davita seems to drive them away. Davita, at the regional and corporate levels have no qualms about spending Medicare dollars on lengthy expensive "pep rallies" when they all feed into the delusion that Davita is the leading dialysis provider in the country. Their marketing campaigns and stategies to cater to the patients with commmercial insurance whom they refer to as HIPPERS (high insurance payers), is appalling. All tax payers should be concerned about our Medicare funds being spent so carelessly by Davita on non-patient related activities. It is with great sadness that lives were lost due to whatever reasons the investigators determine. In Lufkin, it is with great sadness that the earlier efforts and alerts to improve the Lufkin clinic were not paid attention to by the company's upper echelon, or do they REALLY CARE about PATIENT CARE? I wonder? I would stay far away from any Davita Dialysis clinic.
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