I used to LOVE my center

[Hazmat35]

Been doing in-center Hemo for 6 years now.  When I first started; I LOVED my center; the people were great getting me started and helping me over come my fears. 

Well; time goes by; and people come and go; faces change; but the process SHOULD remain the same.  Lately; we've lost some Nurses and Techs to another Clinic that just popped up close by.  It is a Nephrologist; who started his own Dialysis Center...so they made them an offer they couldn't resit. 

But at my Center...the biggest thing that our F.A. yells about is THE BUDGET!  If I had a dime; every time I heard something about his glorious budget; I'd be rich.   He is always standing at the doorway doing a head count on patients; and seeing if there are too many Nurses or Techs on the payroll.  The minute that certain patient leaves...he's on them like white on rice about leaving for the day....you see; if he keeps his payroll down; he gets a bonus.  I'm so glad that he's worried about us! 

The moral in the Techs has gone down; like a rock in water!!!!!  Some of them were so devoted to the patients; they didn't care if they stayed a little extra; even if it was on their own time; but now they can't wait to get out.  I have one Tech that waves an AMA Form in my face; every night (HE OR SHE) closes and wants me to cut my time; so they can go home (I am the last patient of the day; and I generally come off about 6:00 PM). 

We have techs that sit in chairs; all stretched out; watching TV instead of Patient Care.  They hear a "beeping" from the machines; and they just lift their head to see if another Tech that's closer is getting it!!!!  The Nurses bitch because the Techs aren't doing their work; like wiping off the calcium build-ups on the machines; or emptying the trash or even entering the entire Patient information into the machines.  They are afraid to speak to the FA about it. 

I used to love going there; it was such a friendly and happy place to go; even all things considered; but now; everyone seems so on edge and ready to jump down someones throat!

[cassandra]

O o dear Hazmat35 what a dreadful situation indeed. I can't really 'advise' you what to do, as I'm in the UK, and if those situations happened at my clinic I would complain in writing about it to the FA, and would also try to get into another clinic (probably at the same time cos the possibility of reprisals is international I'm afraid)
Definitely complain about that AMA form waving tech, that's ridiculous and dangerous.

Is it poss to get some fellow D-ers on board?

Love and luck, Cas

[hatedialysis2]

They say when one door closes another one opens.  If I were in Orlando area I would checkout Nxstage dialysis centers, they sound amazing!!   
http://www.nxstagekidneycare.com/locations/south-orlando   

[SutureSelf]

Been doing in-center Hemo for 6 years now.  When I first started; I LOVED my center; the people were great getting me started and helping me over come my fears. 

Well; time goes by; and people come and go; faces change; but the process SHOULD remain the same.  Lately; we've lost some Nurses and Techs to another Clinic that just popped up close by.  It is a Nephrologist; who started his own Dialysis Center...so they made them an offer they couldn't resit. 

But at my Center...the biggest thing that our F.A. yells about is THE BUDGET!  If I had a dime; every time I heard something about his glorious budget; I'd be rich.   He is always standing at the doorway doing a head count on patients; and seeing if there are too many Nurses or Techs on the payroll.  The minute that certain patient leaves...he's on them like white on rice about leaving for the day....you see; if he keeps his payroll down; he gets a bonus.  I'm so glad that he's worried about us! 

The moral in the Techs has gone down; like a rock in water!!!!!  Some of them were so devoted to the patients; they didn't care if they stayed a little extra; even if it was on their own time; but now they can't wait to get out.  I have one Tech that waves an AMA Form in my face; every night (HE OR SHE) closes and wants me to cut my time; so they can go home (I am the last patient of the day; and I generally come off about 6:00 PM). 

We have techs that sit in chairs; all stretched out; watching TV instead of Patient Care.  They hear a "beeping" from the machines; and they just lift their head to see if another Tech that's closer is getting it!!!!  The Nurses bitch because the Techs aren't doing their work; like wiping off the calcium build-ups on the machines; or emptying the trash or even entering the entire Patient information into the machines.  They are afraid to speak to the FA about it. 

I used to love going there; it was such a friendly and happy place to go; even all things considered; but now; everyone seems so on edge and ready to jump down someones throat!

Things will not get better until the center's patient population drops below a certain level.  Time to quit complaining and either do home hemo or just get the hell out of there completely (and do home hemo).  First,  check out and tour the new clinic.  Meet the FA,charge nurse(s), dietitian and social worker.   Schedule 2 weeks worth of dialysis treatments to get a first hand view of how the clinic operates.  Medicare will pay.  It's like transient dialysis to check out a new clinic before transferring. (You can call Florida ESRD Network 7 if you need confirmation: 800.826.3773.)  Downside, you might have to switch to another nephrologist.  However, since the clinic is new and getting off the ground, it might be willing to give your neph privileges.  ASK. 

Good luck - SutureSelf

[kitkatz]

Write a letter detailing what you have seen, and what is happening and send it to the manager, director and whoever else is in charge.  They have to answer a written complaint to your satisfaction with 72 hours.  DO not expect huge change but a mention of the behavior seen maybe improve services.. There is a Medicare number for reporting poor care.

[Michael Murphy]

The center I use today is jointly owned by Fresinius and a local hospital when it opened another smaller dialysis company was the partner. Fresinius bought the partner and is now stuck with the original contract,  staffing levels, staff pay and staff benefits are defined by the union contract the hospital has with its employees.  The newest tech on my shift has been there 14 years, with better benefits, pay, and staffing levels no one ever leaves.  I understand it drives Fresinius nuts but the patients love the place.

[Hazmat35]

Write a letter detailing what you have seen, and what is happening and send it to the manager, director and whoever else is in charge.  They have to answer a written complaint to your satisfaction with 72 hours.  DO not expect huge change but a mention of the behavior seen maybe improve services.. There is a Medicare number for reporting poor care.

We haven't seen who is in charge of our clinic; in about a week.  They are being transferred to another location; and are still managing this one; until they find a replacement....but you know that they are concentrating more on the NEW unit....!  This place is going to hell in a hand basket....!  It's really sad.  People used to love coming here...but now; it's like all you hear are the Nurses and Techs complaining about EVERYTHING...! 

[smartcookie]

It really is not acceptable to only focus on the new clinic.  I definitely would complain in writing to the area manager, regional vice president, ESRD network, CMS, anyone who will listen!  It is unacceptable for any patient to not get the treatment and care they need and if you are not getting what you need, then the other patients are not either.  In this case, standing up for yourself is standing up for the whole clinic.