How do you like your center? is it a heartless corporation or independant?

[Epoman]

I hate corporations, I prefer privately held centers. For example I goto Davita and they are always making changes. Alot of people are sick of their changes. Davita calls us a "Village" but they treat us like "Village Idiots"

[woody756]

Have Been to only one for profit in Fla, it was okay, brt my regular center in Littlestown Pa is great!         HUGZ   Woody

[Epoman]

Welcome aboard. Thanks for joining. I go to a Davita and I think it's ok but they are always changing things and it bothers me that they call us a "village" meaning like we're all one big family, HA. I used to goto a private center and it was much better.

[LifeOnHold]

I go to an FMC unit... most of the local units are FMC.  The nurses are great, but this "UltraCare" BS is a joke!  The only thing different is we now have these stop-light strips above every machine.  Thank God "Dialysis Dave" was soundly rejected by all of the units in the Northeast... look that one up if you want a good laugh!

[Epoman]

Welcome aboard. Lets make this place great, thanks for joining. I never heard of "dialysis dave" I'll have to look that up.
Tell your friends about this place. Spread the word. 

[Bajanne]

Of course I looked up Dialysis Dave and was tremendously disappointed.  I saw this webpage where the guy has pictures of him.  He is an ugly cartoon character with bulging eyes.  I at least thought they had a hulk to give you girls something to think about. EWWWWWWW!
It was fun reading various patients opinions of Dialysis Dave.
I was also able to see what a "report card" looks like. I downloaded and saved it as it shows what are high and low levels of the things I have to look out for, like phosphorus, etc.   Our machines are Fresenius over here, but they would not think of using those puerile ploys with us (I HOPE!)

[cabarle]

I currently go to the VA Hospital in Cleveland, OH (Wade Park). The machines are new, the staff is friendly. My first couple of times I had to wait several hours before I could get on the machine. However, I was able to get on the machine within 1/2 waiting time. In my unit, we vets talk about war stories, politics, etc. Afterwards, they provide me with a no salt "Renal Friendly" snack. Yesterday's was a chicken salad sandwhich, a cup of cranbury juice, and a peach. I especially like the fact the staff takes their time to explain EVERYTHING to my wife and I. I haven't researched other centers; but I'm happy with the VA unit.

[Epoman]

I currently go to the VA Hospital in Cleveland, OH (Wade Park). The machines are new, the staff is friendly. My first couple of times I had to wait several hours before I could get on the machine. However, I was able to get on the machine within 1/2 waiting time. In my unit, we vets talk about war stories, politics, etc. Afterwards, they provide me with a no salt "Renal Friendly" snack. Yesterday's was a chicken salad sandwhich, a cup of cranbury juice, and a peach. I especially like the fact the staff takes their time to explain EVERYTHING to my wife and I. I haven't researched other centers; but I'm happy with the VA unit.

Glad to see the VA treats its people right.  After all you served your country.

[Bajanne]

The centre here is a department of the general hospital.  However, it is one of the departments in an annex which was very recently built and officially opened this year by Princess Margaret, if you please[sorry, this should have been Princess Anne.  Margaret is long gone]. This area is so different from the rest of the hospital.  It smells different and is nice and cool.  You have to pass through the first part of the hospital, and when you push the door, it is like 'Through the Looking Glass" - you are in a different atmosphere.
The staff here is very pleasant and friendly and there is generally a good camaraderie among the patients.
However, I am just holding my breath, because recently the running of the hospital was given over to a statutory board.  This tends to mean that though it is not exactly a business (they would not profit personally), they will be looking at the profit margin, financial efficiency, and things like that.  Their decisions would not change the atmosphere of the centre since those working there will gain nothing, but it might mean that the patients will have to cough up some cash for the service.