Is it common to not allow visitors during treatments?

[Sara]

I went with Joe to his first session and was expecting to be able to stay with him and was told, uh NO you can't come back.  Just seems like it'd make it a little bit easier/nicer to be able to chat with a loved one.

[hyperlite]

Probably depends on the clinic...i know that I'm allowed a couple visitors and they can stay as long as they want (except going on and coming off) as long as they arent in the way

[geoffcamp]

That is BULLSHIT (sorry for language but it is appropriate)!!!!!!  You need to talk to the dialysis center administrator and tell them you want to stay and you will stay out of the way but you want to support and learn about what your husband is going through.  If she says no then I would file a grievance there should be posters up in the center telling you how and where to file your grievance.  If you have problems give me the phone number of those people giving you issues about this and I'll set them straight!  I cannot believe someone would dare tell you that you can't stay with him, it is absurd!

Geoff

[Sara]

Thank you!  LOL I thought it was BS too.  I'm almost always with Joe for Dr appts and stuff like that, I didn't see why I couldn't be there.  I didn't get a good impression of that center.  The nurse didn't change the bandage on his catheter - said it looked fine, yet the next day when I checked it, it was bloody and gross.  He is changing centers this weekend, so if they don't let me back there I will think about filing a grievance.  I needed someone to back me up on that, so thanks Geoff!

[geoffcamp]

sara,

I believe they are REQUIRED to change the dressing on the cath. The become very easily infected, so next time someone say it looks ok have him say thanks but I want you to clean and change it anyway.  I know at my center they require dressing changes at every visit.  Remember, you and most importantly he have all the power, this is his health and life they are toying with make your own judgements and stand by them and if they refuse speak with the doctor (they are on call so you can call them anytime) or the administrator or charge nurse.   be proactive... it is a good thing epoman put this site up so you can get this information.  I know I made MANY mistakes in my own care just by not knowing and being afraid to stand up and say I don't care what you think do it my way.

Geoff

[Rerun]

If they don't change the access site everytime, then ask if they use a "Biopatch."  That is what my center uses.  It is a little circular patch that has antibotic stuff on it.  They only change mine once a week because of the "Biopatch."   

If I want it changed more often, I just ask and they do it.

Sara, the second center I went to was horrible!   So, I changed centers!!   

[Epoman]

Thank you!  LOL I thought it was BS too.  I'm almost always with Joe for Dr appts and stuff like that, I didn't see why I couldn't be there.  I didn't get a good impression of that center.  The nurse didn't change the bandage on his catheter - said it looked fine, yet the next day when I checked it, it was bloody and gross.  He is changing centers this weekend, so if they don't let me back there I will think about filing a grievance.  I needed someone to back me up on that , so thanks Geoff!

That's what this site is here for, you have our full support. You just DEMAND to go back there bottomline.

[kevno]

Visitors are allowed on the unit but only for a sort time, if every patient had visitors there would be no room for the patients on the unit. I have had visitors, but there where told they could only stay 10  -  20 Min's I was mad about it at the time, but thinking about it, the chairs/machines are so close together, other patients are trying to sleep, read or watch TV. So now if i am in hospital for whatever.  The visitors come at a time when I am not on the machine. Even when I was a 10year old child my mum was only allowed to come twice with me, the after that I had to go to the unit myself. Did not like it at all!

My dressing gets changed ever time I go on the machine.  I have had the catheter x 2, called tesio lines since October 2003. That is a lot longer than they are supposed to last. I was told 6 months.

The hospital admin have tried to moved me nearer to home on many occasions.  I have always gone to look at the other units. But always stayed where I am at Manchester. I have been going to this hospital for near 33 years now and do not want to change now.

Yours

Kevno

[Bajanne]

NOT CHANGE THE CATHETER BANDAGE?
I used to tell friends and family that at my center they treated my catheter like a premature baby in an Intensive Care Unit!  They cleaned and recleaned and bandaged and rebandaged.   The  possibility of infection is too great to mess with a catheter, it seems.
In my center, visitors don't stay, but they can hang around and sit where they can see you if they want and if someone comes to see you while the treatment is going in on, they can come and chat for a long while.

[kitkatz]

You tell those people you will stay with your husband as his patient advocate!

[nursewratchet]

At mine, visitors can visit, as long as it's not "turnover".  Workers need to pay attention to the patient in the chair, not moving around visitors, or talking to the visitors. 

[Rerun]

My friend who has been on home hemodialysis for over 20 years is now all of a sudden incenter due to bacteria in her well water.  They can't tell her what type of bacteria.....(?) but they insist she dialyze incenter.  Her husband has always canulated her and now they are told he can't even come back with her.  They are fit to be tied.  I told them to call Medicare.  There has got to be some bend in the rules.  Anymore all there are is rules.  No food, no ice, no water, no snacks, no visitors, no cell phones.  NONE of these rules apply at my center except ice because we don't have an ice machine. OH and they won't let her plug in her electric blanket.  I feel so bad for her. 

[Bajanne]

My friend who has been on home hemodialysis for over 20 years is now all of a sudden incenter due to bacteria in her well water.  They can't tell her what type of bacteria.....(?) but they insist she dialyze incenter.  Her husband has always canulated her and now they are told he can't even come back with her.  They are fit to be tied.  I told them to call Medicare.  There has got to be some bend in the rules.  Anymore all there are is rules.  No food, no ice, no water, no snacks, no visitors, no cell phones.  NONE of these rules apply at my center except ice because we don't have an ice machine. OH and they won't let her plug in her electric blanket.  I feel so bad for her. 

That sounds absolutely horrid!!  Doesn't she have an alternative??  Someone has to make some noise!  Get Kitkatz to go and deal with them!

[monrein]

At mine, visitors can visit, as long as it's not "turnover".  Workers need to pay attention to the patient in the chair, not moving around visitors, or talking to the visitors. 

This is how it is at my centre.  However, because I do my own thing entirely, they allow people to come and watch me hook up but I let them know if anyone is coming and they put me at one end so visitor(s) won't be in the way.  We have a couple of patients who have someone with them every treatment.  No problem.  They sit at the front during patient needling and hookup.

[boxman55]

At our clinic the only time a guest can't be by you is when you are being hooked up or being taken off. Otherwise you can stay for the treatment...Boxman

[nursewratchet]

Same Here, Boxman.  Exception is if family member helps you with cannulation, or holding sites.   

[jessup]

Wow  I can't believe that I am going to write a positive post about Dads d clinic

I always take Dad, go into the clinic with him, am by his side when he gets hooked up to the machine and stay with him for about an hour.
My sister "pops in" to visit Dad when he is on the machine with her two young children at least once a week
The nurses don't seem to mind visitors, food, drinks etc.

[BigSteve]

How strange. This topic was picked up again after two years. Would it be the ESRD Network that we would call if
we had a problem with a dialysis unit? I had a possible problem with my transplant center and called UNOS. They don't get
involved unless it has to do with allocation of organs. The problem was resolved, but I am still wondering who handles
problems we dialysis patients have with those treating us.

[nursewratchet]

Speak to the Facility Adminstrator first, and always.  She may have no idea of the problem... If she can't help you, ESRD network, or the State Health Department.  In that order, and it HAS to be posted in the lobby.  Also, when you sign consents for Dialysis, the Greivance Procedure, and contact info are reviewed and signed.  Hope this helps...

[RightSide]

At our clinic the only time a guest can't be by you is when you are being hooked up or being taken off. Otherwise you can stay for the treatment...Boxman

Where I go, they seem to allow visitors.  Though I haven't tried personal visitors yet.  All my visitors have been strictly business:  Insurance representatives and social workers and the like.  And yes, as soon as I'm hooked up and the masks come off, they can come over and talk with me.

Frankly, some times I wish they wouldn't.  I'm trying to relax during dialysis, and I don't need to hear stories like "Well, Rightside, because you have assets totalling X, and you have an income of Y, you don't qualify for reimbursement of your treatment Z."  But heated arguments over managed care and insurance, sure do make the 3 hours fly by.