Is Fresenius Changing Saline Supplier?

[Simon Dog]

I emailed the MMC pharmacy - the "Micropore +" tape is available but not on the FMC formulary, so your clinic's nurse has to jump through an extra hoop or two to get it for you.  The default tape they are providing is "Micropore", which is the same tape with a little less stickiness.

[Simon Dog]

Just got an order - MMC pharmacy is supplying Fresenius saline.

[PrimeTimer]

Since we are running back/forth now to the clinic to pick up ancillary supplies (thanks to Fresenius, no more deliveries), we put in a written request to them to give their approval to MMS to at least have the (heavy boxes) of saline delivered via UPS. We'll see how that goes over...We are not happy about having to request and fight for things that were once considered part of the convenience/reasons that sold us on doing dialysis at home. By doing home dialysis, we are doing all the labor and saving them money in exchange for my husbands comfort and health and being able to stay healthy enough to keep a job and his will to live. They make it any more difficult than it already is for him, positives will turn into negatives and that would really bite. 

[obsidianom]

I filed a formal complaint at our clinic about all the changes for the worse by Fresenius. I have a LONG list of complaints . The whole system SUCKS now. It used to be like clockwork with good quality supplies. NOT ANYMORE.   I am planning on going to Medicare next as they are descriminating against Nxstage patients  only. That is ILLEGAL.  They are required to give the same level of care to EVERY patient.

[Vt Big Rig]

Same problem

Just had a clinic visit and complained that the syringes are crap compared to what is used in center ..... and the alcohol pads are half the size of what is used in center(so we just use more).

And why are we home dialyzors second class citizens. Everyone looked embarrassed but I doubt if anything will be done.

At least we still get saline delivered.

[Simon Dog]

FMC is having MMS Pharmacy send all ancillary supplies and saline to my house.   

I have not found the Nipro needles to be inferior.  It helps a bit to pull back and forward once before use, since the rubber can "stick" from being left in one position for a long time.   That being said, we were switched from USA manufactured top brand needles to Chinese generics.

Make sure your RN is ordering the LARGE alcohol wipes.  While MMS ships a cheap generic, they do stock the larger size that matches the in-center.  The ones I have been getting match the side of the McKesson ones I used to get.

MMS just added "Micropore Plus" tape to the FMC formulary (regular "Micropore" is similar but not as sticky)

You need to specifiy many items individuall, but you'll avoid a box of loose stuff if you order in "box quantities" (12 rolls of tape, 250 blunt or 300 sharp JMS fistula needles,e tc.)

My last order had 100 fistula needles tossed in the box loose with packs of gauze, a bag of tape, and a box of syringes.   I'll order a full box of fistula needles next time.

I am planning on going to Medicare next as they are descriminating against Nxstage patients  only. That is ILLEGAL.  They are required to give the same level of care to EVERY patient.

The problem is proving the supplies are not up to a medical standard.

To make a case, you would have to prove that the supplies you are getting are not up to the prevailing standard for medical products.  Since the needles are FDA licenses, I doubt you would get anywhere unless you could prove something like a lack of sterility.    Curiously, there was one upgrade from MMS - name brand instead of generic bleach.

[Vt Big Rig]

Just got a call from my nurse who said she has been told to give us BD syringes at clinic each month.

Sometimes the squeaky wheel does get greased.

[Simon Dog]

Sometimes the squeaky wheel does get greased.

Congratulations!!!!

I have no doubt my RN would get me BD if I was having problems with Nipro, but the Chinese cheapies are working fine for me.  She just got me a Redsense ($$) and a fancy automated BP monitor ($300-$500 depending on supplier) for nocturnal, so the medical director at my clinic has apparently figured out he is making enough without squeezing his patients dry to keep FMC happy.

I squeaked (formal complaint) when a Texas FMC clinic applied a policy of "Transients get a 160 filter only, biggers ones only for our regulars".

The letter I received was 2/3 explaining they were doing nothing wrong, and 1/3 explaining that they have changed the policy (which was local to that clinic)

[Vt Big Rig]

Sometimes the squeaky wheel does get greased.

Congratulations!!!!

   the Chinese cheapies are working fine for me. 

Then you are a better man than I    ...... I can NEVER get the NIPRO to draw without mass air bubbles. I have tried the break loose and move several times trick and it helps a little. We used one to check placement once and almost did a restick because my wife had real trouble pulling it back.

Small victories  ...... it is all I have left!!!

[Simon Dog]

The Nipro needles/caps are more likely to be a bit loose when you open the package - the first thing I do is tighten them.

[PrimeTimer]

Since we are running back/forth now to the clinic to pick up ancillary supplies (thanks to Fresenius, no more deliveries), we put in a written request to them to give their approval to MMS to at least have the (heavy boxes) of saline delivered via UPS. We'll see how that goes over...We are not happy about having to request and fight for things that were once considered part of the convenience/reasons that sold us on doing dialysis at home. By doing home dialysis, we are doing all the labor and saving them money in exchange for my husbands comfort and health and being able to stay healthy enough to keep a job and his will to live. They make it any more difficult than it already is for him, positives will turn into negatives and that would really bite. 

Our written request worked; Fresenius had the saline delivered to us via UPS. Still a pain since UPS doesn't bring supplies indoors and stack them where you need them to but it's better than going down to the clinic to pick up boxes. Boxes of saline (12 pak) weighs 31 pounds. Do not think my husband should risk damaging his fistula by lifting those so I do. I can carry 2 boxes at a time on my handcart. We're still waiting on the verdict of getting NxStage supplies delivered with advance notice of a date/time like we use to. Fresenius changed the delivery service for the NxStage supplies to be treated as "parcels", meaning no advance notice of date/time and if you are not at home, the boxes are left outside your front door. I do NOT want boxes of SAKs, PAKS and Cartridges left outdoors! So...we put in a formal written request for that, too and waiting to hear. And oh, we received BD syringes. Gotta keep on these people!   

[PrimeTimer]

Since we are running back/forth now to the clinic to pick up ancillary supplies (thanks to Fresenius, no more deliveries), we put in a written request to them to give their approval to MMS to at least have the (heavy boxes) of saline delivered via UPS. We'll see how that goes over...We are not happy about having to request and fight for things that were once considered part of the convenience/reasons that sold us on doing dialysis at home. By doing home dialysis, we are doing all the labor and saving them money in exchange for my husbands comfort and health and being able to stay healthy enough to keep a job and his will to live. They make it any more difficult than it already is for him, positives will turn into negatives and that would really bite. 

Our written request worked; Fresenius had the saline delivered to us via UPS. Still a pain since UPS doesn't bring supplies indoors and stack them where you need them to but it's better than going down to the clinic to pick up boxes. Boxes of saline (12 pak) weighs 31 pounds. Do not think my husband should risk damaging his fistula by lifting those so I do. I can carry 2 boxes at a time on my handcart. We're still waiting on the verdict of getting NxStage supplies delivered with advance notice of a date/time like we use to. Fresenius changed the delivery service for the NxStage supplies to be treated as "parcels", meaning no advance notice of date/time and if you are not at home, the boxes are left outside your front door. I do NOT want boxes of SAKs, PAKS and Cartridges left outdoors! So...we put in a formal written request for that, too and waiting to hear. And oh, we received BD syringes. Gotta keep on these people!

********************************************************************************************************************************

Update: I wrote a letter to Fresenius and our nurse filed a grievance on our behalf. Seems to have paid off. We now get the saline delivered UPS (better than having to go pick it up ourselves tho) and we are back to receiving advance notice in the form of a phonecall concerning the delivery time of the NxStage supplies. My husband is still having to pick up the rest of the ancillary supplies at his monthly appt but we'll take the gains and be glad for that much for now.






EDITED:Fixed quote tag error-kitkatz,Admin

[David Pascoe]

I just found out that Tue Blue trucks are leased from Penske, so my delivery driver tells me.  I get 40 cases a month and that is 800 lbs. Can't imagine Frsenius making patients pick up solution.

[PrimeTimer]

I just found out that Tue Blue trucks are leased from Penske, so my delivery driver tells me.  I get 40 cases a month and that is 800 lbs. Can't imagine Frsenius making patients pick up solution.

Our saline is still made by Fresenius but they (Fresenius clinic) orders it from a different medical supplier now and have it delivered by UPS. If we aren't home, they leave it at our doorstep outside and I hate that. I worry about outdoor temperature and then of course, lifting the boxes to bring them indoors. Because of his AVF fistula in his arm, I don't want my husband lifting them. I use a small handcart but still have to lift them up onto the dolly and then stack them up in our supply room. Use to be delivered by True Blue and they would bring them inside and stack them. I have finally talked the UPS driver into at least sitting the boxes down just inside the door if one of us are home. We get 5 boxes. There are 12 saline bags to a box and for the number of treatments we do a week/month, that lasts us about 3+ months so at least we aren't dealing with delivery issues every month.

[Simon Dog]

NxStage supplies to be treated as "parcels", meaning no advance notice of date/time and if you are not at home

Sign up for UPS My Choice - it's free, and you'll get an email a day or three before any package arrives at your address with your name.

[PrimeTimer]

NxStage supplies to be treated as "parcels", meaning no advance notice of date/time and if you are not at home

Sign up for UPS My Choice - it's free, and you'll get an email a day or three before any package arrives at your address with your name.

As for saline, we do get an email from UPS telling us which day but as for what time, their emails just say "before end of business day".

As for NxStage supplies (cartridges, SAK's, PAK's, hanging bags) we ended up getting a call from one of their reps profusely apologizing and saying that they don't know who changed the method of delivery but that it should not have been changed. Going forward, supplies will be delivered via contracted courier (not UPS) who will bring them inside and rotate inventory (the way it use to be delivered before someone screwed it up). I suspect it was FMC.

[Simon Dog]

As for saline, we do get an email from UPS telling us which day but as for what time, their emails just say "before end of business day".

When I get an email, i go on to my UPS.COM MyChoice account and get a 4 hour windows.   I could pay UPS extra for a 2 hour window but don't.

[caregivertech1]

As for saline, we do get an email from UPS telling us which day but as for what time, their emails just say "before end of business day".

When I get an email, i go on to my UPS.COM MyChoice account and get a 4 hour windows.   I could pay UPS extra for a 2 hour window but don't.

Last month because I was out of town I used UPS MyChoice to change delivery to my nearest UPS store. Cost me 9 bucks.....better than leaving them at the door in the rain.