I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: dialysisadvocate on August 20, 2011, 06:03:43 AM
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I am almost finished with a special project that I have been asked to work on by some individuals. However, before I start my closing comments, I thought I would reach out to all of you here and ask the question --WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE CHANGED RELATED TO YOUR CARE IN YOUR DIALYSIS UNIT?
I have communicated with hundreds and hundreds of patients, but since, one patient personally asked me to start contributing here, I wanted to get all of your input. If you prefer, you can certain email me personally at RMiklesRN@aol.com
Thanks, Roberta Mikles, BA RN Dialysis Paitent Safety Advocate (because no one should experience that which my late father did during his six years of dialysis, e.g. lack of compliance with faciliity policies and serious retaliation)
www.qualitysafepatientcare.com
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marked h/c parking spots.. no doctors hours for non-dialysis people
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marked h/c parking spots.. no doctors hours for non-dialysis people
Thanks, Andrew -- understand handicap parking but am not sure I understand about physician hours for non dialysis paitents.. Can you explain further, thanks, Roberta
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my center has non dialsis patients visit doctors at the center. it causes a big parking problem
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dialysis centers cutting patient times or refusing not to run them at all when they are late. This is actually a new policy with our unit and the state didn't find any violation of this behavior. I can understand if the patient is constantly late, but things happen that are beyond the patient's control like transportation messing up, etc. that is not the patient's fault.
Also something I'd like to see is a patient to staff ratio, we have limited staff here at our center, and in ohio that is not a state violation.
I'd also like to see better arangements made for patients if something breaks down in the unit where it has to close down, they will usually run patient's the next day but this isn't always the case and some patients are more serious then others and do need to run that same day or the day after.
Lastly I'm finding that centers tend to hier nurses with no dialysis experience, including my center at one time and it was a total nightmare. I think at least you have to have at least some dialysis experience of some kind before you get hiered as a dialysis nurse.
I can't think of anything else.
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I don't understand the POLL at the top? What is the difference?
Changing care in your unit?
Do you want to change the care in your unit?
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I am not sure about the 'poll' I did a new thread and might have done it wrong.
roberta
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marked h/c parking spots.. no doctors hours for non-dialysis people
I think the quote above means that we would like our dieticians, social workers and other non doctors to be available more than 8am to 2pm. At my center they are only available in the mornings three days a week. Not convenient for a noctournal patient like myself.
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1. Letting us patients into the dialysis center a few minutes before our scheduled dialysis time slot, to unburden ourselves of our heavy winter clothing, use the bathroom, etc. That way we can be seated in our dialysis chairs, ready to go on time.
I was lucky enough to still be able to pee normally despite ESRD. But I was being penalized because when I visited the bathroom at the beginning of my session, it meant I would start the dialysis late and then I would have to wait until the other patients had already been cannulated and hooked up until a tech would do me. I had to visit the bathroom because of my prostate problems--I couldn't sit there for 3 hours being dialyzed otherwise.
2. Much stricter anti-infection protocols. I've posted about the times when anti-infection protocols were violated or ignored at my center, no reason to repost them here.
3. Keeping the grounds and parking lot immediately around the dialysis center plowed of snow and ice. Many was the time when I nearly slipped and fell due to icy conditions around the dialysis center.
By now, you can probably guess that I don't live in Florida. ;D
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Oh, let's see....the list is endless:
1. A fourth shift that starts at 7:00 PM. This way, those of us still working would not have to impact our work hours and if you're on T-TH-S, your Saturday afternoons are still available.
2. A complete redesign of the dialysis center. Each chair should have curtains at the minimum. The machines should all be hooked up to a central computer display that is constantly monitored. Techs should carry pagers/phones and if a machine is alarming, the tech should receive a page. Patients should also be able to page the tech instead of having to yell across the center.
3. Functional high-speed wireless Internet for patients.
4. A full complement of satellite/cable channels with TVs where the brightness can be adjusted. Wireless headphones would be a nice touch.
5. Orthopedic chairs. I've spent way too much time at the chiropractor's office dealing with the affects of sitting in a bad chair 12 hours a week.
6. This is the biggest one...social workers and dietitians who understand the needs of those of us who are young and working on dialysis. The ones in my center can't seem to get out of the mindset that everyone on dialysis is elderly and dependent. They have no real-world strategies for integrating dialysis into the lives of a young working person.
I could keep going on and on but I think you get the idea. Us dialysis patients are pretty much treated like crap and told that we should be grateful for it. :puke;
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I belive all staff should have a 8 week or more study on phobias like me and my needle phobia to understand my phobia and help me with my phobia and not stand over me complaining when my chest cath acts up like I am not there.
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hi,
I agree with you here. I highly doubt they would ever put money into doing this. High speed wireless would be great. When I was on in-center hemo for a few weeks we would not even plug in our laptop computers or anything else electronic. I totally agree with you that we are treated like crap and we should be thankful for it! Whatever.
Lisa
Oh, let's see....the list is endless:
1. A fourth shift that starts at 7:00 PM. This way, those of us still working would not have to impact our work hours and if you're on T-TH-S, your Saturday afternoons are still available.
2. A complete redesign of the dialysis center. Each chair should have curtains at the minimum. The machines should all be hooked up to a central computer display that is constantly monitored. Techs should carry pagers/phones and if a machine is alarming, the tech should receive a page. Patients should also be able to page the tech instead of having to yell across the center.
3. Functional high-speed wireless Internet for patients.
4. A full complement of satellite/cable channels with TVs where the brightness can be adjusted. Wireless headphones would be a nice touch.
5. Orthopedic chairs. I've spent way too much time at the chiropractor's office dealing with the affects of sitting in a bad chair 12 hours a week.
6. This is the biggest one...social workers and dietitians who understand the needs of those of us who are young and working on dialysis. The ones in my center can't seem to get out of the mindset that everyone on dialysis is elderly and dependent. They have no real-world strategies for integrating dialysis into the lives of a young working person.
I could keep going on and on but I think you get the idea. Us dialysis patients are pretty much treated like crap and told that we should be grateful for it. :puke;
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I have a good dialysis center, however they refuse to upgrade our internet. We have a tv with internet on it, however it sucks so bad it is worthless. I get told that the people who hooked it all up our out of business and there is nothing they can do. BS.
My center is to open at 5:45 am for the first hook ups, yet we are lucky to be let in by 6:15 am so it would be nice if they could open on time. Sometimes we stand outside waiting just for the lobby to open. There is always some excuse why the are running late.
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Well, even though my husband is not In-Center anymore. There is one thing among all the others, that I believe would help patients out immensely, is having their spouse to be in with them! It helps them to keep from getting bored, and gives them better peace of mind to know that they are there with them.
I have never understood why that is! I am convinced that that was one reason my husband wanted out and honestly, I felt left out in the process! I did not like that one bit! But there are alot of other issues with in-center like, Proper sterilization, tech's "attitudes" towards not only patients but the family also!
That 2nd and last clinic we were in, was terrible and very insensitive to my husband! Tech got smart with him one time in there and had the Head Nurse not step in when he did, one of us would have ended up in the hospital or jail. A month after that, a patient finished D. and left out the door bleeding from clinic to her automobile in parking lot. She lost alot of blood and was faint! I was in my car waiting for husband to get off when I saw her, and grabbed a towel out of my car and put it on her arm as she collapsed!
Nurse or tech, came fast walking out of the clinic saying, "Well she is always pulling her bandages off too, soon! So if she bleeds to much, it is her fault". I told her to shut up and have the Head Nurse come out. I would not release this patient in her care. She said she would call the police, and I told her to go ahead and do it. She turned and went inside to get him. While in there, I got Miss Johnson to sit on bench outside under cover. She thanked me and said she was an elderly and appreciated someone sticking up for her. She had no family, she was alone!
She was not the only one to recieve this kind of treatment. Last time we went to see people at that clinic, staff & patients were not there! An almost complete turnover!
lmunch
:kickstart;
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We have wireless at my center. The firewall is pretty stringent, but it's better than nothing. Overall, I am pretty happy with the care I receive. I've said often on this board that I feel very lucky when I read some of the stories. But I feel that there is always room for improvement.
Things I wish for:
1). Social worker and dietitian who recognize that my needs at 35 are different than the patients who are in nursing homes.
2). Input into scheduling. I was asked what shift I wanted to be on, but beyond that I am randomly assigned times to be at the center. No one asked what time would be best or why. I am also shuffled around in my center a lot because I am younger.
3) Consistent chair, start time, tech and nurse. There seems to be some sort of random assignment of all these things. I feel like I am constantly explaining what is going on with me to a different person everyday. Even if they rotated a couple of people it would be better than having someone different every day with no rhyme or reason.
4) Some way to contact a tech or nurse if I need something. A way that doesn't constitute me yelling, waving frantically or trying to make eye contact.
5) I go back and forth on privacy curtains. For me personally I wish we had them because I am a very private person. I don't really chat with other patients; however, I know that most of the patients at my center really enjoy interacting with others.
I'm sure I'll think of more later...
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Thanks to all of you who have provided such valuable input. I will be getting back with you all .... again, your feedback is of GREAT value.. please continue to provide such.
Roberta Mikles BA RN
(uncompensated) dialysis patient safety advocate (non connected to the industry in any way)
www.quaitysafepatientcare.com
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Now this I don't understand....are you saying that you don't have a consistent time that you start treatment????? I would be beside myself if this was the case. I start every day at 3:00 PM and I am in my chair and hooked up by 3:15 at the latest. On Saturdays, I usually come in earlier but this is a decision between me and the tech.
I would definitely go up the chain about this. How are you supposed to plan your schedule if they can't give you a consistent start time? If you are still working, I can definitely see where this would be an issue.
2). Input into scheduling. I was asked what shift I wanted to be on, but beyond that I am randomly assigned times to be at the center. No one asked what time would be best or why. I am also shuffled around in my center a lot because I am younger.
3) Consistent chair, start time, tech and nurse. There seems to be some sort of random assignment of all these things. I feel like I am constantly explaining what is going on with me to a different person everyday. Even if they rotated a couple of people it would be better than having someone different every day with no rhyme or reason.
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At my center yes I do not get on on time half the time. Also in off times I wait for almost an hour before I am taped up so that means I'm holding my sites for an hour! I understand there's other patients, but I shouldn't have to wait that long! Also don't even get me started on dietitions talking to us like we're children! I know what I did wrong, you don't have to talk to me like I'm a child, and if I wanna mess up that's my fault and I don't have to know about it.
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Also don't even get me started on dietitions talking to us like we're children! I know what I did wrong, you don't have to talk to me like I'm a child, and if I wanna mess up that's my fault and I don't have to know about it.
OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD. That is sooo true. My dietition is really a nice person, but oh my God does she talk down to us. I have been doing this crap for 4 years, and she still takes the "report card" and says in her high pitched voice "here is your protein, it is goood. Here is your potassium, it is good", and she does that for every lab, as though I cant read :banghead;. Im begiing to think that to these people who get paid good think that we on dialysis are a bunch of dumb idoits! Because I KNOW HOW TO READ. I mean seriously, does she have to sit there and go over each and every single lab like we are 5?!! I mean I can see doing that maybe the first year.
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Now this I don't understand....are you saying that you don't have a consistent time that you start treatment????? I would be beside myself if this was the case. I start every day at 3:00 PM and I am in my chair and hooked up by 3:15 at the latest. On Saturdays, I usually come in earlier but this is a decision between me and the tech.
I would definitely go up the chain about this. How are you supposed to plan your schedule if they can't give you a consistent start time? If you are still working, I can definitely see where this would be an issue.
It's getting better. For my first year at the center, they had a start time they "aimed for". Sometimes you would get on right at your time, other times you might be waiting an hour. It just depended on how fast your tech was working that day. They've made some system improvements, some of which I'm happy about and some of which I'm not. But at least our start times have become a little more consistent. When I spoke to the center manager, she told me their new goal is to have you on within 15 minutes of your time. I can deal with that. I don't work, so that wasn't an issue, but I don't drive myself (I just feel so awful when I come off), so coordinating my ride was sometimes difficult.
I also completely agree about the dietitian treating you like you're 5. Honestly, I never liked how the dietitian treated me, but I couldn't put my finger on what it was. But you guys have nailed it. She treats me like I'm 5...
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I get on 10 minutes early most of the time. if their is a machine or water problem it will be a little late. most of the techs will put me on as soon as they can :2thumbsup;, except one :thumbdown;
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At my center yes I do not get on on time half the time. Also in off times I wait for almost an hour before I am taped up so that means I'm holding my sites for an hour! I understand there's other patients, but I shouldn't have to wait that long! Also don't even get me started on dietitions talking to us like we're children! I know what I did wrong, you don't have to talk to me like I'm a child, and if I wanna mess up that's my fault and I don't have to know about it.
Can't you go to another center ?
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I still would like volunteers to be allowed in to give us manicures and mini-pedis. And hot tea. Just a thought.
:waving;
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I do like them reading the labs to me cause I'm blind and can't read them myself, but it's the way she does it.
I've been denied center change requests.
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I do like them reading the labs to me cause I'm blind and can't read them myself, but it's the way she does it.
I've been denied center change requests.
I thought about changing Centers before I talked to the new FA. I called another Center, getting permission was not mentioned . how can you be denied ?
EDITED: Fixed quote tag error - jbeany, Moderator
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My time is 12:00 noon, but I never get hooked up till 12:45, this really infuriates me! :stressed; My pet peeves are >:( >:( the chairs are so uncomfortable and the tvs are horrible! Most of the channels are fuzzy....I don't understand why my Davita center can't have nicer chairs and newer tvs? I believe they charge over 16,000 per week for dialysis, why can't they afford nicer amenities?? Oh well, just had to get this off my chest( permacath and all!) :bandance;
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the social worker would not grant my request because she didn't want me to leave, I'm guessing she's the one that has to get the ball rolling as far as the paperwork, etc.
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the social worker would not grant my request because she didn't want me to leave, I'm guessing she's the one that has to get the ball rolling as far as the paperwork, etc.
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she see's you as money :thumbdown;
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And that's where I would be going straight to your ESRD network for resolution. Your SW should be working for you in whatever you need to facilitate a good outcome for yourself.
I forsee the same with my center. I plan on investigating switching centers after the first of the year so I can go on home hemo. I've pretty much told everyone in the center the same. When the day comes that I am ready to switch, if I get even one minute of resistance from my current center, I am contacting my ESRD network and raising holy hell. Sure, they're going to miss my $2300 per week in income but it's not my problem.
the social worker would not grant my request because she didn't want me to leave, I'm guessing she's the one that has to get the ball rolling as far as the paperwork, etc.
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she see's you as money :thumbdown;
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As I read through all your posts, I contiue to be frustrated and am only reminded that providers are not doing sensitivity training with their staff. It appears through these comments that there are alot of 'atitude' problems with staff... This is a result of staff being resentful and annoyed that how dare a patient/family/friend request safe care
I do not recommend patients to contact the Network but suggest they file a complaint with the state agency. I have heard, from too many patients, that the Networks don't come through and that they (pt) have more problems. Some have told me that the NETWORKS go back to the unit and give the patients name. Further, the Network has no authority e.g. if you file a complaint with your state, the state does an investigation and they CAN write what is called a 'statement of deficiencies' This shows what the facility did not do that they were suppose to, then the facility must write a plan of how they will correct the problem. tHIS has more weight than the NETWORKS in my opinion..
For anyone in Ct, i HAVE received the inspection reports and will be posting to the website in a few weeks.
opinions of Roberta Mikles - Dialysis Patient Safety Advocate
www.qualitysafepatientcare.com
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Oh, and over the last few days I thought of a couple more things that my center needs to work on.
Decor: the paint scheme is puke yellow and puke brown. If I had to work there, I would be depressed in a week. New paint in more soothing colors, please.
Parking: there needs to be a designated parking area for transport vehicles. I have been parked in by a transport vehicle more times than I care to count. The transport vehicles pull right up to the front door and park, which is fine, but then those of us who are in the regular spots near the door can't get out.
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I wish someone would invent more comfortable chairs. My legs and back usually feel like hell after 4 hours. Plus, I've read about Dialysis Chairs with built in heat! I am one of those people who start shaking and freezing practically the moment my blood starts being removed. I'd love a nice warm chair to sit in!!
Besides that, I have little to complain about. My center is pretty awesome compared to many!
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Ask the staff at your center if the temperature on your machine can be turned up a little bit. I had in-hospital dialysis a couple of weeks back and the tech gave me a tour of all of the functions of the machine. One was that the temperature could be raised to prevent the cold feeling. Not sure if the dr. has to prescribe the temp or if the temp can be raised by staff without it.
I wish someone would invent more comfortable chairs. My legs and back usually feel like hell after 4 hours. Plus, I've read about Dialysis Chairs with built in heat! I am one of those people who start shaking and freezing practically the moment my blood starts being removed. I'd love a nice warm chair to sit in!!
Besides that, I have little to complain about. My center is pretty awesome compared to many!
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I still would like volunteers to be allowed in to give us manicures and mini-pedis. And hot tea. Just a thought.
:waving;
Wow, Rerun I like that idea! :clap;
I love my center.The staff is very nice and compassionate. They are very conscious of infection control. I did have to change centers for a few months and the SW got me in another very good one. THEY had the heated seats!! I too get very cold while on D. I started out with one blanket and I'm up to 3 plus a "slanket" (blanket with sleeves). My temp has to be low because otherwise, I get the most horrible cramps.
I do wish my center had internet. They just have TV but it is good cable. They also have let my husband come in and sit with me after I've been cannulated. They are great about calling him for me about 1/2 hr before I'm finished (That's how long it takes to get there from his work).
I also have a horrible fear of needles but they have been great about working with me to help me overcome my fear a little. (I don't think it will ever go away completely)
The one thing that they haven't done yet that I wish they would is teach us how to "Clamp, Cut & Run!" I have a basic idea but I would like to know a bit more. I live in tornado country and there is no way they would be able to get 9 (max) of us off our machines if the sirens went off. I have asked them and will continue to ask them until they get tired of hearing it and just teach us all.
I really don't care one way or the other about the privacy curtains. We have all laughed about the "privacy policy"(HEPA, I think?) Unless they gave us all private rooms, pretty much NOTHING is private in a Dialysis center! :rofl;
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I think all centers should be required to use the crit line. Also with patients with no UF they have to be given back what the minimal setting on the machine removes, sometimes techs don't like to do this because the bp is fine, however when the patient goes home their bp will sometimes drop causing them to get lightheaded at home. I complained to a tech about this once and she said "Well I didn't remove anything, that's just dialysis."
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I think all centers should be required to use the crit line. Also with patients with no UF they have to be given back what the minimal setting on the machine removes, sometimes techs don't like to do this because the bp is fine, however when the patient goes home their bp will sometimes drop causing them to get lightheaded at home. I complained to a tech about this once and she said "Well I didn't remove anything, that's just dialysis."
They always run me with the UF off but they do put back what they take off otherwise I cramp really bad. I have on occasion had light-headedness when I got home even putting the fluids back.
I feel I am lucky in a way, I still urinate. My neph described it like a tall glass of water that you keep adding to. It flows over the top but doesn't get down to the bottom. In other words: My kidneys still "function" they just don't filter. I do watch my fluids even though I don't retain fluid. I have to be careful with that, too. Last Summer, I was hospitalized for DEHYDRATION! I still laugh over that: An ESRD patient being hospitalized because they don't have enough fluid!
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Sorry I posted before I finished my thought!
Sullidog, does the lightheadedness happen all the time? Did you talk to the nurse or your neph about it? Don't just accept that answer! If it is continuous, talk about it. If you are worried the Tech might get mad at you, phrase it as a question. That's what I do. "What is it during D that would cause me to get lightheaded? Is there something that I can do to prevent it?", etc.
Good Luck!
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Ask the staff at your center if the temperature on your machine can be turned up a little bit. I had in-hospital dialysis a couple of weeks back and the tech gave me a tour of all of the functions of the machine. One was that the temperature could be raised to prevent the cold feeling. Not sure if the dr. has to prescribe the temp or if the temp can be raised by staff without it.
I wish someone would invent more comfortable chairs. My legs and back usually feel like hell after 4 hours. Plus, I've read about Dialysis Chairs with built in heat! I am one of those people who start shaking and freezing practically the moment my blood starts being removed. I'd love a nice warm chair to sit in!!
Besides that, I have little to complain about. My center is pretty awesome compared to many!
I was the same, after about an hour I was shivering even though I take 2 blankets and completely cover myself (the other patients call me the Eskimo) so the nurse put the temperature up half a degree and its made all the difference.
And like you I don't have any other complaints and reading others has made me realise just how lucky I am!! (never thought I'd be saying those words) :clap;
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we'll put our 2 cents in here:
dietician lecturing all on diet, portion, yet most patients in the back sitting there with burger king, mcdonalds, bags of donuts, etc..
small stiff chairs in lobby.
patients walked/wheeled out to lobby and left. very low BP, and/or transport 1/2 to 1 hour later, no one checking on patient.
decent wifi, possible desktop computer in lobby with hand sanitizer beside.
stop putting pics of patients on dialysis on public board, rather put pics of these people in their heyday, to remind everyone they weren't always a dialysis patient.
better universal precautions for all.
asking ems/transport for routine to not keep running rig parked 2 foot from door blowing CM and blocking.
privacy curtains.
drop defensive attitude when questioned. look like your "user-friendly" and not ready to tear out someones throat for asking a question. no penalizing them for ask questions or don't agree with something.
have someone willing to sit down and educate patients/family on condition, treatment options, problems, etc. not just tell them to look it up on internet. many don't have, don't know how to use, unfamiliar with medical terminology.
coffee pot? ok i know thats asking alot.
more individualized treatment vs the "cookbook" method.
In the last month, several patients sent to hospital for serious side effects of "taking too much off".
DH also wanted to add another: social worker visits in unit. no privacy. everyone says "fine" when asked by same.
but there are 3 patients that routinely cry in their chairs every treatment.
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In my old center the defensive attitude was always a problem.
Also centers should be more commidating for the blind/vision impaired patients. This includes getting handouts, emergency guides and other important info to the patient in a form that they can understand. When I started I was never informed of any evacuation or emergency procedures because I couldn't read them and I was refused to accessible formats.
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Again, thank you all for your input. I am glad to see that some of you have experienced good situations with caring staff. My father, when on dialysis (passed away a year ago) experienced much of what many of you are --..
Emergency preparedness is something that is required e.g. staff are suppose to educate patients how to clamp their bloodlines and disconnect from the machine in an emergency situation. (for the person who had mentioned this).
From what i am reading, as it continues, patients are not being included fully in their treatment plans, nor are some of you being identified as the 'center of the team'. Many of you it appears have not been fully educated as to the machine settings e.g. temperature. I remember my father was always cold. Once, one of the staff raised his temperature on the machine to the point that he ran a fever which prompted the staff to do a blood culture. At the time, I was not fully aware of the safe temperature ranges, but quickly learned. Although we were told that the physician needed to order the machine temperature, the staff often set the temperature and changed such at their own discretion
I found, more than not, technicians would make their own decisions about treatment options, problems, etc., without consulting the Registered Nurse.
Roberta
www.qualitysafepatientcare.com
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you summed that up very well! No I was never shown how to clamp the lines til a year later.
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I still have not been taught what to do in an emergency. I asked about it again today since the Head RN was there. She admitted that they are supposed to go over emergency procedures with us every quarter. She stated that she was working on getting it scheduled.
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6. This is the biggest one...social workers and dietitians who understand the needs of those of us who are young and working on dialysis. The ones in my center can't seem to get out of the mindset that everyone on dialysis is elderly and dependent. They have no real-world strategies for integrating dialysis into the lives of a young working person.
DITTO!!!!!!!!!!
also, nurses, techs and other patients (the older ones at my unit)
The older Patients at my unit sometimes I just want to slap..... they come in there all smiles and happy to be there (and question why I do not like being there) b/c for them its social hour for me its runing my social life!
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Emergency procedures must be explained to patients and patients must be educated in this area. This is crucial. When the state does their inspections they look at this. Patients can always file a complaint, even be anonymous, in order for the state to investigate.... This can send a message to the facility that they need to clean their act up
Roberta
RMiklesRN@aol.com
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My experience in-center is only a month.
Staff is helpful and caring, no attitudes at all.
BUT: Only gripe I have is staff are non-stop LOUD talkers (to each other, about mundane non-Dialysis stuff, weekend plans, etc.). There is a background hum in the room, with alarms going off and etc. so they must really get the volume up to be heard from one side of the room to the other. Annoying as heck.
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My experience in-center is only a month.
Staff is helpful and caring, no attitudes at all.
BUT: Only gripe I have is staff are non-stop LOUD talkers (to each other, about mundane non-Dialysis stuff, weekend plans, etc.). There is a background hum in the room, with alarms going off and etc. so they must really get the volume up to be heard from one side of the room to the other. Annoying as heck.
http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/headphones/noise_cancelling_headphones/index.jsp
Yes, they're expensive, but I bought an older version a few years ago at a Bose outlet store. They really do work and well worth the money. I used to use them when traveling...which, alas, I don't do anymore. But I think they'd work great for a situation like you are talking about.
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A noise issue that I've found is that the patients turn up the tv's so loud, the center gave them headphones when they started, but patients don't use them for some reason
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That can't happen in my unit anymore.
There is no sound on the television unless you have headphones plugged in.
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It has been quite a while since you all commented -- I am wondering if the problems in your units have changed, eg. are these negative aspects continuing? Have these things stopped? Have any of you addressed such? If so, what was the facility response?
We now have an 800 number for patients to contact if you are having problems iin your unit, with care, retaliation, infection, etc
1-800-874-8842
And, to view 2011 dialysis surveys (inspection reports) in California - go to www.qualitysafepatientcare.com
Roberta Mikles BA RN - Dialysis Patient Safety Advocate
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I fixed all of the problems in my unit....I left and went home on NxStage. :2thumbsup;
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Cattlekid - good for you -- Did you report the problems to the state after you left? Often this helps other patients. I advise patients to contact the state NOT the Networks as the state has more authority and I don't believe the Networks are that effective, from what I have been told and known of
opinion of roberta mikles www.qualitysafepatientcare.com
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Maybe I am just easy to please but the only problems are a few patients who call the doctor's wife and bitch about every little thing.
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PDPatty - what do you mean call the doctor's wife? what do they bitch about? maybe they have real concerns? just curious