Introducing myself...Dialysis Director

[Sodakbrit]

Hi, I am new to the board. I am the director of a dialysis program in the Black Hills of SD serving a 200 mile radius and 200 patients in a very rural and challenging area. I am always looking for insight from dialysis patients as to what we can do ease their time my caregivers and myself.

[cassandra]

Welcome to the site Sodakbrit


   

[Simon Dog]

1.  Make sure you have high quality internet for patient use.

2.  If you do not have them in place, set up home PD and Hemo programs. 

[jambo101]

Make sure you have the best of chairs as old cheap chairs can be very uncomfotable after a few hours. also wifi is convenient.

[lulu836]

Acclimate new patients as to what they will need to be comfortable during treatment.  Blanket, beverage, book or tablet etc., and what they can expect from the clinic such as what the ambient indoor temperature will be, how to set up their ride to the clinic (unnecessary if they are driving themselves of course), whether they are allowed to eat during treatment, when monthly blood testing is drawn and a visit with the clinic nutritionist.  I'm sure there is more but I cannot think of anything else right now.

[Jaybird]

Home Hemo and PD are awesome for the mental health of the patient if they can swing it. Its been so long since I had dialysis, but I remember it was depressing at the clinic. I went back before they had smart phones though, things hopefully have gotten better.

[Alexysis]

Have later hours. So many people end up on disability ONLY because they can't get treatment after work. Nobody wants to dialyze before work.