Patient rights in dialysis centers

[grannysgirl]

I know that there are officials orgs to notify when you think your rights are violated but what happens to the patient when the staff retailates? There are so many things happening at my D center that I know patient rights are being violated. They don't use paper tape because of the cost and lie as to why they no longer get it. So patients skin turn dark from the adhesive of plastic or silk tape. They use acohol wipes to wipe the skin of all patients and leave the glue on your skin. yuk! I will stop here because you can imagine more Anyway, what do we do as patients to stop this nonsense?

[sullidog]

Start going up the chain, as for the tape bring your own to use, they should have no right to say no do to the fact it is your tape.
Troy

[RightSide]

I know that there are officials orgs to notify when you think your rights are violated but what happens to the patient when the staff retailates?....Anyway, what do we do as patients to stop this nonsense?

Demand to know who is the immediate supervisor of the staff in question, and set up a meeting with that supervisor.  If you have a social worker, bring him with you as a witness to the discussion.  Or bring a family member or friend.  DO NOT have the discussion with the supervisor alone by yourself--it could turn into "he said/she said," your word against his.

Don't accuse specific staff (don't name names) unless it's absolutely necessary.  Rather, talk in the abstract:  "I have observed certain staff doing [or not doing] the following...."

And suggest a positive approach for improvement rather than punitive:  For example, suggest to the supervisor that more paper tape should be provided.

[kitkatz]

A letter usually gets action to the head of the dialysis center;.

[Rerun]

Move to another center and take your Medicare check with you.  If everyone leaves it will get their attention or shut them down.

Dreaming.......   

[totosidney]

You have some rights (see http://www.medicare.gov/Dialysis/Static/PatientRights.asp?dest=NAV|Home|Resources|PatientRights#TabTop). Your choice of tape is not one of those rights. I am not saying that it souldn't be, but it isn't.
Best wishes...Sid