What is my recourse as a patient?

[Stacy Without An E]

I have serious issues with one of the techs who always seems to hook me up and who drives me crazy and causes me undue pain.  I ask him repeatedly not to shove the needles in, to take his time.  I'm not going anywhere.  When he does this I'm in agony for three hours.

When I request I be taped up in a certain manner so the entire thing doesn't fall off and spill blood all over my sheets, I'm ignored.  If I happen to let out a quick grunt when a cramp surprises me, I'm verbally insulted and ridiculed.

If I file a complaint the entire staff will hear about it and I'll feel like a I have a bulls-eye on my arm.  What is my recourse here and how should I handle this without creating a bigger problem for myself as a patient?

Any advice is welcome.

[goofynina]

Hi Stacy (without an E)   Arent there any other techs who can put you on?  Have you refused to have that tech put you on?  I have done that before, if i don't like the way someone puts me on, i will wait for someone who i know to put me on.   Take this matter to the charge nurse, tell him/her that you do not want to start any trouble you just prefer that this tech does not put you on, they should have no problem either switching you to another station and/or just switching the tech.   If you dont speak up no one is going to know what is going on and this problem will never be resolved.   Good luck and keep us posted...

[thegrammalady]

this is your life, if they don't do it your way they shouldn't do it at all. start with the charge nurse and tell them you don't want this tech near you. there shouldn't be any problems.

[Ang]

speak  up,yell  scream  shout,  if  your  not  heard  no  body  knows  you  have  a  problem

hope  it  works  out  for  you.

[Joe Paul]

Your fistula is what keeps you alive. If the tech is damaging it - its you who will have to suffer. Ask the charge - nurse not to have that tech put you on.

[keefer51]

I know how you feel. I had the same problem. I was lucky though not many of nurses and techs liked this one tech either. I suggest maybe  telling it to the Doctor. If you like him or her they should take care of it. The charge nurse at my clinic is very friendly with most of the other nurses and techs. so i wouldn't get anywhere. You are in a very difficult position. Good Luck.

[aharris2]

Stacy, I understand your reluctance to "file a complaint". We felt the same way the first time we had a problem. In spite of that, the problem was serious enough that we had to act - as is yours. I spoke to the the clinic director - one step up from the charge nurse, but still an RN and a significant presence in the treatment room. Her comment was this:

'...Thank you very much for telling me, if no one brings this kind of thing to my attention, there's nothing I can do about it...'

And she meant it. Our conversation was private, one on one. There were no repercussions for Rolando and clear indication that our comment was used as a training opportunity. This has made us very secure in sharing whenever something isn't quite right.

You must act. Like JP said, your fistula (and dialysis) is your lifeline. You were very understated when you talked about "spilling blood". Rolando was poorly taped and had the needle come out when he had to 'briefly step away' from the machine. One of the needles fell out and he almost bled to death.

[kitkatz]

I am known as the complainer. I have taken my concerns about the unit to the director in a written letter.  If it is written down they have to do something about it. Date your letter and expect a response.  I have done it twice and things worked out to my satisfaction, but then they know I know how to complain loudly.

[st789]

May be written down like Kitkatz mentioned is a way to go.

[skyedogrocks]

I would definitely talk to the clinic director and/or charge nurse.  I would also talk to your Neph, they have a lot of pull with the nurses in your center.  You have every right to be treated with the utmost care and respect.  How would they like it if their arm was treated like a pin cushion!  Good luck and let us know what happens.

[okarol]

I was very friendly, even to the techs that were rough, but I immediately would say "Ohh, hello? Could you please ask the charge nurse to come over?" Then I would ask that someone else put Jenna on. They would just do it, or say "Well, she may have to wait until someone else is available" which was fine with us. Rarely did they ask why, and frankly, I didn't want to get in an argument. But when pressed I would say "Jenna would prefer someone else. Thank you." If I hadn't gotten cooperation you can believe I would have been on the phone to the doctor/owner of the clinic and had him paged. The clinic is a business, you have the right to be satisfied. If your hairdresser nipped your ear or something, would you not complain? I know most patients are limited in the access they have to nearby clinics, but you absolutely must demand good care. If you are afraid of becoming a pin cushion in retaliation then you are in the wrong place. I hope you get better treatment Stacy. It makes me so angry to hear stories like this!

[renalsw]

Most dialysis units have a grievance procedure that is supposed to be presented to you when are admitted.  You have rights as a dialysis patient!  As a renal social worker I have had patients come to me and complain about their treatment by certain nurses or techs.  You do not have to take that!  The first step in our company policy is for you to contact your social worker or your facility manager.  If your concerns are not addressed then you have the administrator.  You can always call your ESRD network if you feel you are not being treated right.  No patient should have to feel that they have no recourse.  You might want to talk to other patients in your unit to find out if they have had problems with this same tech.  It could be a pattern.

Good luck