I hate Baxter.

[justme15]

So last week when my delivery was scheduled, I recieved a partial shipment.  they had a shortage and had 0 green 6L bags for me.  I was due 26.  I had some extra, so no problem. they assured me that I would get the rest next week.  well, it is next week. no boxes delivered.  I will be using my last box of fluids tonight.   i call baxter to find out what the problem is.  they tell me that there is a severe shortage and they do not know when I will get my boxes delivered.  they then proceed to ask me if I can get some fluids from my nurse. 
no ma'am, i can't do that. I have a full day of work tomorrow.  I will have to see if my husband can take off work to pick up the fluids for me.  and why didn't Baxter call me and let me know that they will not be able to deliver my fluids when they said they would???
so I called  my PD clinic and spoke to the manager. she called baxter and fussed at them, she was pretty upset that they had no idea about this 'shortage'.   She also said she will make sure the higher ups know about my situation. because there is no reason for them to handle a shortage in this manner. my bags will be delivered on Friday. and tomorrow night I have to use a 1.5 and 4.25 since i will have no more 2.5s.

i love PD, but baxter sucks.

[Joe]

My last delivery from Baxter was short my mini caps. For some reason they were on back order. I didn't think it was a problem as I had a new box in my supply. FedEx delivered them the next day, so not a big deal. Now, if I'm short fluid for some reason, that could be a problem. Typically the freight companies don't deliver inside, and I can't carry the boxes upstairs to where they belong. We'll see how it all works out, I'm due for my delivery tomorrow.

[Whamo]

I'm supposed to get 10 green bags today, and more next Thursday.  They aren't here yet, and they're usually here by now.  It makes me wonder. 

[Whamo]

   Good news, my delivery came.     Bad news, I was supposed to get 10 green bags, and only got 6.  I get another delivery next week, so this will be enough until then.  There must be a shortage so they're trying to spread out what they have or something.

[Tío Riñon]

I didn't see this topic and ended up posting in the General Discussion, but I have the same issue (http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=29702.0)

I asked to speak with a supervisor and was told that the shortage is due to an issue with a recent lot of solution.  Baxter implemented a "voluntary recall".  While I appreciate their attempt to protect us, they obviously didn't do anything else proactive for their customer base. 

I'll share any additional details that I learn when I talk to someone higher in the chain tomorrow.

[justme15]

I understand there may be shortages at times (rarely, I hope) but I just wish they would tell us this and have a better back up plan.  As PD patients on the cycler, we depend solely on this form of dialysis to live.  everyone can't just 'switch to manuals'.  at least let the PD clinics know so they can be aware and be prepared to help us patients with alternatives until our fluids come in.

mine are supposed to be delivered  tomorrow. we'll see how this works out

[Joe]

My delivery came today and everything was there.

[justme15]

welp, just as i suspected baxter doesn't come through again. they told my PD nurse i would get a delivery today. i called baxter to find out what time, and they tell me that I will not get a delivery and they don't know when I will.
so, i will use manuals over the weekend and during the week I will use a yellow and red bag on the cycler, since I won't have time to do manuals.
this shortage is awful.

they say this shortage is nationwide, but Joe and whamo got their boxes....hmmm.

[Tío Riñon]

welp, just as i suspected baxter doesn't come through again. they told my PD nurse i would get a delivery today. i called baxter to find out what time, and they tell me that I will not get a delivery and they don't know when I will.
so, i will use manuals over the weekend and during the week I will use a yellow and red bag on the cycler, since I won't have time to do manuals.
this shortage is awful.

they say this shortage is nationwide, but Joe and whamo got their boxes....hmmm.

Sorry to hear that you are still being inconvenienced.  I called up customer service today and pressed them on the matter and they agreed to ship me some product by next Tuesday.  If you have time, I would call back and get customer service to commit to something or try speaking to a supervisor.

I also received a call-back from the Operations Manager, but missed it.  I am waiting to discuss this situation with him and hopefully get some better answers.

[Tío Riñon]

I contacted Dialysis Advocates about this situation in the hope that they could speak out about this matter for those of us who aren't getting the needed supplies from Baxter.  This is the response that I received:

Could you please give me all the patients and see if they will join me to get the supplies that you are needing. I just need the clinics names and patient names will be confidential. This will end right here.

Arlene Mullin-Tinker
Dialysis Advocates LLC
1-202-567-1616

You can share your information via their web site:
http://dialysisadvocates.com/patient-contact/

[Weggy]

I think it is just 6L bags. I use 5L bags and I got my full delivery today. My baxter driver said everyone else he delivered to today didn't get their full order because they use 6L bags.

[Tío Riñon]

My shipment of 6L greens just arrived via special courier.  I encourage others who are still awaiting the product to let their feelings known to Baxter via customer service OR visit the Dialysis Advocates web site as noted above.

Good luck to others!

[jeannea]

The reason some people got boxes and others didn't would have to do with how they move product to their regional warehouses. Some warehouses already got their shipment before the bad batch.

It is not ok to make the driver just show up and say sorry I don't have any. Wimps. At least contact people.

[Whamo]

I got my delivery yesterday.  The delivery guy said some people got their green bags, and some did not.  He said it appeared they were catching up with the demand.