Pre-Mix Bag Shortage ??

[caregivertech1]

2 months in a row I've received zero bags. The standard I thought was to keep a 5 day supply(I'm down to 2) for backup if you use Pureflow. The shipper told me this AM he did not receive any bags at all for the NxStage users in his area.  I've called customer support and quite frankly feel I'm getting the runaround. Anybody else having this problem?

[PrimeTimer]

Glad you shared the info because I will need to order a fresh supply of reserve bags too. I wonder if the winter weather is causing them trouble (frozen bags??) or if we're about to see a recall notice go out. Hope not. If you can/want, please keep us updated and if I find anything out, I will do the same.

[micron]

Yep, right there with you. We haven't received bags in the last two shipments.  I haven't gotten this month's shipment yet, but specifically requested they send bags this month (down to two boxes, need 3 per treatment).  If we don't get them I'll be playing the phone tag game with both them and the clinic.

On clinic day I mentioned we hadn't gotten any and after some run around explaining I meant hanging bags and not concentrate they said they'd give me some from a near by clinic.  Sent my husband to pick them up, they gave him concentrate and not even our prescription.  So frustrating.

EDIT: i assumed they didn't want to pay the shipping or something so it's nice to know it isn't just happening to us.

[PrimeTimer]

I have a question for you guys:  Do you order your NxStage supplies online using their online submission form or call their customer service? The reason I ask is because I've noticed their online form has slightly changed to include a drop-down menu for hanging bags and gives you the option to choose "I have enough".  Wonder if perhaps their online form is not correctly taking orders for bags and somehow thinks you didn't order any. Whenever I see computer changes, I expect bugs..or some screw up caused by the loose nut behind the wheel (me).   

[micron]

Yes, we use the online form.  I did add a note to the note field, so if there is a discrepancy with their count, hopefully that would make them look closer.  Good thinking, if we don't get any this month I'll be calling them.  It sounds like caregivertech1 has already tried calling them about it though.

[caregivertech1]

When I called, they admitted a "little" problem with their pre-mix inventory. I had my clinic nurse call and still no results. I also order online but my Oct. order never got shipped to the local transport co. so they sent my order by UPS...all but the pre-mixed. All was working well until a few months ago. Hope I don't have  a Pureflow issue as I'm down to 6 bags....1 treatment.

[micron]

No bags in the October shipment.  I'll be calling NxStage today and trying to get some answers.
The delivery guy was from a company that is contracted out to do deliveries so didn't have any idea about missing supplies.

[micron]

Ok, so after a 2nd call this morning to NxStage (they never called back yesterday).  They said last month we didn't get bags because they needed "nurse approval"??!!  This month we didn't get any because they ran out.  They will ship them as soon as possible (no ETA).  They called my husband back instead of me, so I didn't' get to ask follow up questions.

They said they've been really busy, which makes sense with patients trying to make holiday travel plans, but you think they'd account for seasonal demand increases.

Meanwhile, our pureflow batch last night failed the conductivity test and auto-drained over night.  After the 3am "continue draining" alarm, I got the new batch started at 6:30 this morning.  I hope this one works since we don't have bags to fall back on. (just had to vent a little )

[kitkatz]

Sounds like some stick pounding with NX-stage needs to be done.  This is your life, so do not let anyone screw around with your supplies.      Good luck with it all.

[caregivertech1]

Yeah, I got the old "your nurse must not have approved it" also. My nurse says she never got the "approval" email. Wonder if that's something new? Anyway my nurse called them and ask for 6 cases (2 treatments) as I was down to 3 cases for backup. They sent only 5 cases next day air which I got today. Why 5 and not 6 I have no idea. As far as your conductivity check failure, I just went through that. Make sure your drain(black) line is clean with monthly chlorine and the bicarb. Also don't have a connector in the line and don't loop the drain line directly behind the purfelow.  The reason is you may be getting a slight "backwash" of contaminants when the conductivity sample is taken. You might ask tech support about it if it continues. Good luck.

[PrimeTimer]

I submitted our monthly order online the other day...now we wait and see if it's filled. COMPLETELY. If not or if I find anything out, I will post it. On one hand, a shortage is never acceptable. On the other hand tho, maybe the silver lining is that it indicates an increase in people choosing NxStage. That would be good in the way that I want NxStage to make money and stay in business so they may continue improving on their technology. And in case no one noticed, I am trying to have positive thoughts because it sure beats having a meltdown right now. Did too many chores today and it's late and I am tired and quite frankly, I've had it up to "here" with dilemmas lately and I think it's safe to say "we all have"!   

[PrimeTimer]

We received enough bags for 3 treatments. NxStage says the "shortage" is being caused by the holidays. I didn't ask what exactly that means but I am guessing that in addition to filling the usual monthly orders they are also having to ship bags to people's holiday destination (perhaps more people are traveling with their cyclers this year ??). Meanwhile, our nurse said NxStage told her that they are working the orders according to priority; those who regularly use bags will be given priority while those using SAKs will be given fewer bags for reserves until they are caught up. At least that's their story and they seem to be sticking to it.

[caregivertech1]

  Got my shipment today and received zero bags. I reported an inventory of 3 days so I guess that's the magic number now. There's definitely a shortage and in the NxStage way they aren't saying why. Kind of reminds me of the aluminum issue that took a year for them to fess up. BTW our AL was 7 last month......used to be 30 during the crises.

[PrimeTimer]

Their silence on this is almost deafening. Leaving it up to their customer service reps to tell people over the phone is kind of lame. They sent out word about using frozen bags that have thawed out but yet no official word about the shortage?? We use the Pureflow so having just 3 days of bags is okay...for now... but I sure hope those who regularly use bags are being sent enough. Wonder if this is making people who are wanting to travel a little nervous over whether or not bags will be sent to their destination. I'm sure not all travelers lug the bags with them.   

[Maggie and Jeff]

We switched to bags during the al issue Maggie's tested at 7 last week.


We have a 2 week reserve.  And when we don't I complain loudly.  Not rude just insistent. 

We travel often and when we used the pureflow it was like pulling teeth to get those extra bags through davita.  FMC it has never really been an issue.

NxStage made us wait a month when we switched to RFP-205.

They said they had to have them made.

That was back in april 2015.

We should be getting a shipment soon.

[micron]

They finally sent us 15 boxes (only after our Nurse contacted them and demanded them).  Got here just before Christmas.  Glad to have the reserve again.

[Vt Big Rig]

I hope this is getting fixed for you folks. 12 boxes would be only 3 treatments for me (we use 40 liters at a time) so I am thankful I have not needed any. We keep a 6 day supply in the closet. Yep, 24 boxes. Thinking of this I better check the expiration date of these.

But when we traveled last summer we had them shipped to my son's house. The shipment got fouled up and my access stopped working (another story)  but we eventually got them. So there are some there for the next trip.

I sure wish the pure flow would travel also.

[Vt Big Rig]

I am curious if anyone curtailed any holiday trips becasue of the fear of this shortage.

If so I think NxStage has to hear about this. I'd be happy to contact them on behalf of a group of folks.

I am already on the "OH NO, NOT HIM AGAIN" list with them. 

Just let me know!!

[Maggie and Jeff]

As soon as I awaken I'll be calling again over not having enough extra between shipments,  Less than 1 week.... We should have 2 weeks.