dialysis units

[toad]

hi all...just a quick question are all your dialysis centers privately owned...basically ran as a for profit businee...up here in canada we go to the hospital...they are ran by the provincal governments...also was told when i go to texas i can get my dialysis from a center there are they really that bad in the states...hope to here from u all.....toad






EDITED: Moved to dialysis center section-kitkatz,Moderator

[Epoman]

hi all...just a quick question are all your dialysis centers privately owned...basically ran as a for profit businee...up here in canada we go to the hospital...they are ran by the provincal governments...also was told when i go to texas i can get my dialysis from a center there are they really that bad in the states...hope to here from u all.....toad

Most centers are now corporate owned and are definately FOR PROFIT. Davita and Fresenius are the big players in the industry Gambro was a major player too until Davita bought them out. If Davita had there way they would by out "Fresenius" but the American government won't let them due to it would make Davita a Monopoly. Thank GOD the government wont let that happen.

[Rerun]

Mine is hospital affiliated.  Too many rules.  No cell phones, can't change your own bandages (Yeah, stop me) blah, blah, blah.

I got another cold chair tonight.  I threw another huge hissy fit.  I'm probably entertainment for them.  They said they can't guarantee me the same chair every time.  I said "why not!  I'm here Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 4:00 why can't I have the same spot?"  Why can't they make SOMETHING convenient for me if that is what I want.  What is wrong with a simple request being granted.  I would LOVE to tie them up to that machine and let them sit under an AC for 3 hours.  And I get to be the one walking by saying "Sorry, that is just the way the building is."    Just once!!

[LifeOnHold]

About ten years ago, my unit had a malfunctioning generator that was belching carbon-monoxide fumes all over the back room, which were trailing through the treatment room door.  Everyone had a 'turn' sitting next to that door-- most patients complained because the fumes made them sick.  Well, I WANTED to sit there-- I happen to like the smell of exhaust, it relaxes me. (My father was a car-repair fanatic and I grew up hanging around various auto-body shops as a kid.)   Guess what?  They wouldn't let me sit there because "we can't keep someone sitting there all the time because it's a health risk."  Not a big enough risk to FIX THE DAMNED THING, THOUGH!  (It took them over two weeks to get replacement parts.)  So they tortured  five other patients who DID NOT WANT TO SIT THERE, while ignoring the ONE PATIENT who would have gladly taken their place!

You know what?  I friggin' give up!

[Epoman]

About ten years ago, my unit had a malfunctioning generator that was belching carbon-monoxide fumes all over the back room, which were trailing through the treatment room door.  Everyone had a 'turn' sitting next to that door-- most patients complained because the fumes made them sick.  Well, I WANTED to sit there-- I happen to like the smell of exhaust, it relaxes me. (My father was a car-repair fanatic and I grew up hanging around various auto-body shops as a kid.)   Guess what?  They wouldn't let me sit there because "we can't keep someone sitting there all the time because it's a health risk."  Not a big enough risk to FIX THE DAMNED THING, THOUGH!  (It took them over two weeks to get replacement parts.)  So they tortured  five other patients who DID NOT WANT TO SIT THERE, while ignoring the ONE PATIENT who would have gladly taken their place!

You know what?  I friggin' give up!

You got to be kidding me, WOW you should have called the health department or OSHA on them. They would have worked around the clock to get that thing fixed. What center was it? A corporation?

[Rerun]

Maybe I should request the "cold" chair.   Thanks for the advice LOH.

There are 3 in my cubical.  Me and two comatose 80 year old women.  I want the chair next to the wall that has the good light, little TV and no A/C blowing down on me.  So, tonight I get there and "again" they have me in the "cold" chair.  And, I didn't disappoint them.  I friggen flipped out!  So, I refused to go on the machine until I talked to the director (which would also keep everyone from going home if they have to wait for me).  She said they can't guarantee me a chair.  Again... I said why the hell not?  What is the big deal?  Is it part of their job to make us more nuts?  I like going to the same desk at work too.  Is that weird?  I usually wear the same coat in the winter.  I have the same two dogs.  I've lived in the same house for 4 years.  Call me Psycho!!

Then all the Techs are ewwwing and ahhhhing over Grandma's hat and scarf.  "Aren't they pretty?"  blah, blah, blah.  And I'm over there yelling... "SHE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WEAR A SKI HAT AND SCARF TO DILAYZE IN!!!"    "Plus an 80 year old shouldn't dialyze anyway it is a waste of tax payers money."  Like she is going to get better?  Does she ever even wake up?  Her daughter and I then got into it because she is thankful that her Mother is alive...  Then old Grandma starts cramping and crying that she wanted to go home!  Yeah, that is love!  Drag her in 3 times a week to get stabbed with needles and cramp until she pukes. 

I HATE DIALYSIS and the people I have to deal with!   

But, I feel so much better now.  Thank you for letting me vent.

[Epoman]

Maybe I should request the "cold" chair.   Thanks for the advice LOH.

There are 3 in my cubical.  Me and two comatose 80 year old women.  I want the chair next to the wall that has the good light, little TV and no A/C blowing down on me.  So, tonight I get there and "again" they have me in the "cold" chair.  And, I didn't disappoint them.  I friggen flipped out!  So, I refused to go on the machine until I talked to the director (which would also keep everyone from going home if they have to wait for me).  She said they can't guarantee me a chair.  Again... I said why the hell not?  What is the big deal?  Is it part of their job to make us more nuts?  I like going to the same desk at work too.  Is that weird?  I usually wear the same coat in the winter.  I have the same two dogs.  I've lived in the same house for 4 years.  Call me Psycho!!

Then all the Techs are ewwwing and ahhhhing over Grandma's hat and scarf.  "Aren't they pretty?"  blah, blah, blah.  And I'm over there yelling... "SHE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WEAR A SKI HAT AND SCARF TO DILAYZE IN!!!"    "Plus an 80 year old shouldn't dialyze anyway it is a waste of tax payers money."  Like she is going to get better?  Does she ever even wake up?  Her daughter and I then got into it because she is thankful that her Mother is alive...  Then old Grandma starts cramping and crying that she wanted to go home!  Yeah, that is love!  Drag her in 3 times a week to get stabbed with needles and cramp until she pukes. 

I HATE DIALYSIS and the people I have to deal with!   

But, I feel so much better now.  Thank you for letting me vent.

Great post, I love hearing a good rant. 2 Thumbs up.  oh and yeah I see some people too who are on dialysis but are in a comatose state and their children keep them coming to dialysis when you know they would rather die. It's actually pretty sad I would let my mom or dad go (die) if they wanted and not MAKE them stay on dialysis if they did not want too.

[Bajanne]

That is such a difference between the US and my native country.  My dad, a very active, articulate, vibrant 89 year old, developped kidney failure.  Nothing else was wrong with him. He still kept a small animal farm, preached from time to time, etc.  But because of his age, he was not given dialysis and we had to watch him die.  Even our family GP was hurt by that decision.  I also know a 70 year old who was taken off dialysis.  That can also happen in the UK, as a friend of ours in his 70's was sent home to die (taken off dialysis).  We were told that in the US, even a frail and feeble 100 year old would be put on and kept on dialysis.  From your postings, it seems that this was not a joke.

[Rerun]

The difference "may" be Money.  The centers make money by keeping people alive.  As long as they have a pulse the center collects a Medicare payment.  Chaa Ching!! 

Each to their own.  I'm a Christian (although it may not show by some of the things I write) and I believe in God and heaven, and that it is a better palce.  I look forward to eternity with Christ....and no dialysis.

By the way, my sister is going to call the director tomorrow and kick butt.  I'm alone here and I've noticed that patients that have family around seem to get better treatment.  It's the same way in the hospital.  If you are alone and sick, you don't get much attention, but if you have a family member watching, things get done.  My sister is afraid she will just make things worse on me.  I say... it can't get worse.

[BlackJack]

Just be careful.  It can get worse.  If these people get together and decide that you are gonna be persona non gratis, no amount of ranting and raving will help.  They'll just freeze you out, literally and figuratively.  I worked chronic unit for a long time and they can make it tough on you.  Hell man, those techs can make life a living hell for the NURSES that alienate them, let alone the patients.  I'm not telling you what to do, but I'm not sure that antagonizing them is the answer just yet.  For them, it's a job that they forget about the minute they hit the door. How much is raising hell gonna affect them.   For you, it's your life.  Unfortunately, you need them more than they need you and many of them ain't worth a damn.  Good luck.

[Epoman]

Just be careful.  It can get worse.  If these people get together and decide that you are gonna be persona non gratis, no amount of ranting and raving will help.  They'll just freeze you out, literally and figuratively.  I worked chronic unit for a long time and they can make it tough on you.  Hell man, those techs can make life a living hell for the NURSES that alienate them, let alone the patients.  I'm not telling you what to do, but I'm not sure that antagonizing them is the answer just yet.  For them, it's a job that they forget about the minute they hit the door. How much is raising hell gonna affect them.   For you, it's your life.  Unfortunately, you need them more than they need you and many of them ain't worth a damn.  Good luck.

I am glad we have a dialysis nurse as a poster/member he lets us hear the "other" side and the man speaks the truth. I cause a little trouble at my center BUT I know when to draw the line. I usually get what I want from the center but I do it tactfully. Sure I complain and rant at the center but I do it in a comedic way and in the end I get what I want/need. Don't get me wrong, I want you to stand up for yourself and let your problems with the situation be known, however have you ever heard that old saying "You catch more flies with honey" 

Hopefully your sister will have a good conversation with the director and you will get the chair you want. If not how about you bring your own portable electric heater? I am allowed to plug things in at my chair. I have in the past plugged in my laptop, electric fan, portable DVD player, So a little portable electric heater shouldn't be a problem.

[Rerun]

Oh my gosh!  Not this place.  No cell phones!  They are going to check to see if I can bring a portable DVD player.  Probably not.  The stupid BP cuff has bruised my arm all the way around, so they tired 3 wrist cuffs and none of them worked.  I offered to buy my own and they said "no."  Can't do that either.  Well, mine would sure as hell beat the 3 of theirs that don't work!!!

My sister had a nice conversation with the director and social worker.  I still didn't get the place I wanted. 

Then, I guess my potassium was high from the "pre" blood test on Tuesday.  It was 8.  But, then I dialyzed on Tuesday and ate my renal diet Wednesday and Today.  So, they wanted to put me on a k-0 bath.  I said NO!  That blood test was "pre" dialysis and you have no idea how I have eaten the last day and a half.  So, they took another "pre" dialysis blood test to check my Potassium and sent it off and put me on a k-1 bath.  The "pre" dialysis blood test came back at 4.5.  All I could think about was that one post where he had to go to the ER and get zapped to get his heart back in rhythm.

Maybe Blackjack is right they are out to get me now.   

[Epoman]

Oh my gosh!  Not this place.  No cell phones!  They are going to check to see if I can bring a portable DVD player.  Probably not.  The stupid BP cuff has bruised my arm all the way around, so they tired 3 wrist cuffs and none of them worked.  I offered to buy my own and they said "no."  Can't do that either.  Well, mine would sure as hell beat the 3 of theirs that don't work!!!

My sister had a nice conversation with the director and social worker.  I still didn't get the place I wanted. 

Then, I guess my potassium was high from the "pre" blood test on Tuesday.  It was 8.  But, then I dialyzed on Tuesday and ate my renal diet Wednesday and Today.  So, they wanted to put me on a k-0 bath.  I said NO!  That blood test was "pre" dialysis and you have no idea how I have eaten the last day and a half.  So, they took another "pre" dialysis blood test to check my Potassium and sent it off and put me on a k-1 bath.  The "pre" dialysis blood test came back at 4.5.  All I could think about was that one post where he had to go to the ER and get zapped to get his heart back in rhythm.

Maybe Blackjack is right they are out to get me now.   

Damn now that I see how others have it, maybe Davita isn't so bad after all.  At my center I can bring basically any electrical item I want and plug it in, I can use my cell phone, and eat while on the machine too. I think I am starting to like Da.......

WAIT WAIT, WHAT AM I DOING, I AM GOING TO THE DARK SIDE.....HELP ME.....MUST RESIST.....MUST FIGHT........DA..DA....DAVITA SU....DAVITA SUCK........DAVITA SUCKSSSSSS. phew that was a close one I was actually defending Davita for a minute they almost had me. I must keep my guard up. The force is strong with them.

Davita sucks, I hate Davita. 

[LifeOnHold]

Learn to resist DaVita mind tricks, you must!