Never sign any document you don't understand.

[RightSide]

An odd thing happened to me at my HD center.

My PTH, which had been declining with a dose of 8 mcg of Zemplar IV per session, started rising again.  I did not understand why. 

Weeks later, one of the dialysis nurses handed me my previous month's treatment plan for me to sign.  I was puzzled and asked the nurse why I am being asked to sign off on a month-old treatment plan that is now obsolete.  She told me that they've always been so behind on their paperwork that patients typically get treatment plans that are a month out of date.  Well, I looked at it.  I read that in the previous month, they had cut my dose of Zemplar IV back to just 4 mcg, without telling me. 

Well, we found the smoking gun, that's why my PTH had started rising again.

I told the nurse that since I had not been informed of changes to dosing last month, and since I don't understand the reason for it even now, I'm not going to sign the treatment plan:  "I'm not going to sign off on something that took place a month ago that I still don't understand."  Well, did she get angry.  Obviously she now has to explain to her supervisor why RightSide, alone among all her patients, refused to sign his treatment plan. 

I told her in a very even tone of voice that, as a patient, I have a right to know exactly what meds, and at what doses, the nurse is injecting into my line.  Otherwise, I will not sign off on any such dosing decisions. 

It's been a few weeks since this happened, and that nurse is still mad at me.

But yesterday, when my Zemplar dose was changed again (this time increased), my nurse--a different one--remembered to tell me about it.

[jbeany]

 

Go, rightside, go! 

[pelagia]

 

[monrein]

Exactly right Rightside.  Good for you.

[swramsay]

Same thing happened to me. I got a treatment plan six weeks old and I told them I didn't want to sign it. I did end up signing it but made a note that I received them six weeks late and also a notation on the plan stating my displeasure with the time delay. Also when the nutritionist finally gets around to me to discuss labs that are a month old I won't discuss them unless they are a few days old. This unit sends their labs to Florida. My nephrologist thinks I should change centers just because of the delay in labs. I've never seen anything like it.

[paddbear0000]

You all get treatment plans?    I don't!

Givem' hell Rightside!!   

[swramsay]

A nurse told me that the treatment plans are usually just in the beginning. After everything stabalizes, they stop writing monthly treatment plans.

[Joe Paul]

A nurse told me that the treatment plans are usually just in the beginning. After everything stabalizes, they stop writing monthly treatment plans.

Ours are redone every 6 months.

[BRANDY]

bet that nurse dont mess with you anymore.  good going

[BigSteve]

Good for you RightSide. We all have to stand up for our care.

[2_DallasCowboys]

Way to go, Rightside!!!!!!!! 

And if that nurse is mad at you, tell her to kiss your 
it is YOUR BODY not hers that is being affected!!

Anne

[kitkatz]

I get a treatment plan with monthly labs.  Labs are given late, too.

[aharris2]

Obviously she now has to explain to her supervisor why RightSide, alone among all her patients, refused to sign his treatment plan. 

RightSide, it is those other patients who skew the survival statistics downward. Keep it up buddy, you are the master of your fate.

Alene

[RightSide]

Thanks for all your words of support.

Evidently I'm one of the few patients there who insists on being an active participant in his treatment.  The nurses told me that most patients are more passive; they just go there and entrust the doctors and nurses to do whatever is necessary, rather than insisting on being told.  I guess they're sort of like this: 






EDITED:Took out link, attached pic-kitkatz,Moderator

[paddbear0000]

   Poor dog though!