In the dialysis unit...

[Angela00882]

Hello, my name is Angela and I have been a tech for over 3 years.  I have done home hemo, PD, acutes, and now I am back to chronic.  I try my absolute best every day to be there for my patients however not a day goes by that I do not hear someone say I hate coming here.  I know this is hard for them and most of you, but I want to make the experiance as best as possible.  So here is my question.  Based on your experiance what can I do to make things better and more fun.  I know alot of patients are not feeling well, but I was thinking of stuff like playing bingo for prizes, or dialysis trivia.  Any suggestions would be great.  I love my patients and I want to try and make their dialysis treatments not something to dread but to kind of look forward to.  I REALLY would like your help. Thanks!!!   

[willowtreewren]

Angela, thank you so much for your attitude.

I think the number one thing is to be able to listen and treat your patients like WHOLE humans. Dialysis sucks. It uses up a huge part of our lives (and I am just a caregiver), but we DO have lives away from dialysis.

Some patients want more control of their treatments. Some want to forget that they are having to go through this, so they want others to take over the  treatments. If you listen to them you will be able to adjust what you do to meet their needs. Ask what they want and try to provide it.

But be there, human to human.

Thanks for listening.
Aleta

[Malibu]

Keep up the great attitude, even if some people try to shoot you down.  Those same people will come around.   

[Angela00882]

I am meaning more of like activities...like would kidney bingo or stuff like that be good or do you have any ideas?  I want to make dialysis fun lol

[Stacy Without An E]

Your heart is in the right place, and I'm thankful there are still people like yourself who care enough to ask questions like this, but...

They've tried activities like this and they were simply abandoned because:

--- most patients are like myself and want to zone out in whatever TV show or movie they're watching and forget they're at treatment

--- Half the patients don't speak English and were wondering why the social worker is at the front of the clinic shouting things at them

I agree with others above.  Listen to each patient individually and meet their needs and you'll find that your patients will be happier and more agreeable when you try to suggest ways to help them.

Thanks for joining us.

[Rerun]

I would imagine that you want to hear from incenter dialysis patients and not care givers or home hemo patients.

To get to the point, we want good care, competent care.  We want on the machine on time and off on time.  If we get gifts we don't want anything with your logo on it.  No more DaVita blankets.  We want ice.  It is hard to concentrate on games.  Something easy like a drawing would be okay.

Someone to paint fingernails or toe nails would be nice if offered.

 

[Hanify]

Good on you.  Nice to meet you.

[Ang]

ask  your  own  patients  what  they  would  like  if  anything

glad  to  meet  someone  who  actually  cares  about  their  patients

[chiefsfan301]

In my center most arrive sleeping in wheel chairs, OATS busses, nursing home vans provide most of the transportation.  I believe that some or most of these patients only receive kind and loving words and only when they are at the center.  The TECKS at my center are the greatest. Show them care and kindest.

[RichardMEL]

Angela - welcome and great that you want to help so much.

I tend to agree with Stacy(without an E). Most folks in my unit are either sleeping, yelling at each other in Greek or watching TV/videos(me).. it would be an intrusion in a way - abeit a well meaning one. Some people don't have the energy or desire to think - it's enough of a chore to come in and sit there and endure the needles and the machine and the lack of movement for X hours.

Most of the nurses in my unit are experienced enough to strike a balance for those that enjoy a chat or need a bit of a boost to those that want to sleep or be left alone - and after awhile you get to know what the various patients want, and can tolerate(both in terms of dialysis treatments and their surroundings/interaction with people).

The problem is you can't even say "OK those that want to play trivia meet me in this room" or something like that because of course it doesn't work.. and doing it with say 40% of patients playing and the others being irritated by the noise wouldn't work either in my view.

I think just be as supportive as you can and recognise each patient is different - some want to have control of their sessions/treatment and be informed about what is going on (like me). Others just want to forget it and not be involved. And still others even try and fight it (I have seen a couple over the years). Each should be treated appropriately.

[YLGuy]

Just wanting to make the experience of being there a better experience is huge.  I think Richard's advice is good.  Thank you for caring.

[kitkatz]

I would like someone to come give me a foot rub and pedicure/manicure every now and then. Or pull up a chair a talk to me as a person, not a patient.  Be patient with my moods. 

[RichardMEL]

We actually have a volunteer that comes into our unit on Saturdays and gives foot and/or hand massages to those that want them. She's very attractive - you should see some of the older gentlemen's faces light up when she comes in the door!!  That's a great idea I reckon. Been going on for maybe 9 to 12 months now.

[effinxmandy]

I haven't read through all the posts, and I'm not sure if this was mentioned but when I was a tech when we did patient education we would cut out food pictures from the ads and laminate them. Then we would go around to the patients and show them two different types of food and ask which one was good and which one was bad (high phosphorous, ect.) and if they got it right they got a goody. I don't know, I thought it was a creative way to make "education" fun, lol. A lot of the patients who had been on dialysis a long time enjoyed it, I think they wanted to show off 

[fc2821]

        Hello Angela.   I think it is great you want to make the experience of dialysis better for your patients. You have received some good advice here.  The best was talk to your patients, listen to their needs and do something that helps the individual patient.   

[Zog]

I know I am probably not the best person to answer this as a caregiver of a home hemo patient but this is what my wife usually wants everyday during home hemo.  She used to be incenter for years.  She was a big fan of ice water, blankets and books back then also.

Ice Water (heavy on the ice), Popcorn, TV, Laptop with Wireless Internet Connectivity, At least one Giant Book to read, Warm blanket
and her warmer turned up way to high

I would reserve most of your patient education efforts for your new patients.  After 16 years of dealing with this, my wife could care less about the basics.  She will sit there and suffer though a lecture and handout, but afterwards will throw the handy dandy list of foods to avoid (everything but lettuce) and recipes in the trash.  Just because you have a captive audience doesn't mean you can entertain them with the same things all the time.

[Neo]

I'm 31 and I don't want to be given treats and play bingo. I think it is actually kind of insulting in a way because most of us just want to be treated like adults. I for instance just want to have my personal tv, my laptop, and a nurse/tech that is knowledgeable and good at what she does and is compassionate. But we are all different I can assure I already don't like having to depend on someone else to do so much for me while we are hooked up to the machine. And i enjoy it when the settings are made as comfortable as they can be and quiet, just little things like that are things I cherish while on the machine. I think its great that you came to us and asked the patients what WE want. Unlike the corporations that run most of the centers and give out all sorts of stuff with company logos on them that most the people ive talked to think is a waste. You sound like a great tech and I wish all employees in dialysis were as thoughtful as you. So go to each fop your patients and get to know them and tailor your actions toward them appropriately. I think that is the best way to make everyone happy and have a hood overall environment in the unit. Thanks for asking for our input, we need more techs like you.

[Bub]

Years ago my center did Bingo and other games, but it seemed that most people wanted to sleep.  I too enjoy a nap occasionally.  If we had those now I would participate but see much of a demand for it.

What can you do to make it easier?

Treat me like an adult. For instance, if my machine alarms, dont just reset and walk away.  Tell me what the problem was and if I need to do if anything. 

Remember that although you may answer to a charge nurse, it is my body and my treatment. I am ultimately in charge.

It is nice to be checked on. Most of us will ask if we need something, but if you appear rushed or are across the room we may not say anything.  But if you walk up to us and ask, well thats great.

Remember that we are human beings.  When setting us up or taking us off the machine, remember to speak to us even if its meaningless chat.  If you dont speak, we tend to feel that we are just part of your job, and are about as important as the machine is.

[caringpct]

Hi Angela, I too am a tech. My patients are not really into games but they have told me movies would be good. Too bad my FA doesn't allow us to bring movies in unless she approves them first, which takes forever. Also, some patients enjoy word searches., but make sure you get the large print because some have a hard time seeing.