DaVita Rates Better Than DSI

[Rerun]

I thought DaVita was bad until I moved to Spokane where I'm at a DSI Clinic.  It is the "Jiffy Lube" of dialysis centers.  No ice.  NO F'ing ICE!!!  No paper barriers between me and the chair, and no 1K.  I do best on 1K.  Well, they just don't have it.  They use 2K.  I'm just appalled.  That is like saying you don't have saline!  They have TV's but they are clear up on the ceiling.  I can't see it that far away plus there is a glare from the windows. 

The people are very nice and it is clean and oh yes they speak English. 

One thing about DaVita.  They provide customer service and ICE!!!

It can't just be any ice like from 7-11, it has to be the ice from one of those machines that DaVita has.     

[paris]

Rerun! I've missed you!  Apparently you found your computer and hopefully are getting settled in your new place.  I am sorry about the ice!!  You aren't asking for much--just your special ice.   I'm glad you back with us.  Your wisdom and input has been greatly missed    

[kitkatz]

None of my centers in nine years has ever had an ice machine. Some people are just spoiled. 

[Rerun]

This ice is better than Chocolate.  I'm addicted and am having terrible withdrawl symptoms.

                                               

[kitkatz]

Okay go to Target and buy the on the counter ice maker.  I bought one at Christmas and I love it. I prefer its ice to any ice I have found yet.

[KT0930]

Good to have you back, Rerun. Wow! DaVita is actually better than another company? I never thought I'd see the day on IHD!

[Adam_W]

Rerun, as a current Davita patient and an ex DSI patient, I'm going to have to agree with you 100% The staff were nice, but most of them sucked as dialysis employees. The training was pitiful, and they usually had the "get 'em in, get em' on, get em' off, get em' out" attitude. I knew more about the machines than most of the staff, and there were constant mistakes being made. I don't think I've ever mentioned this here, but on my very first day at that centre, I had to go to the hospital because my BP was going up to dangerous levels, and I was losing strength and I had the WORST headache I've ever had. First of all, one of the techs checked my BP at one point and said something like "Oh, your fine now, it's dropped to only 200/115" Now, I'd only been "sick" for a little over two weeks, and I didn't know much about blood pressure and dialysis and all that good stuff, but even I know that I WASN'T fine. Then every one else had gotten off and had left the treatment area to wait for their rides, and I was slumped over in my chair, trying to keep myself from losing consciousness, and moaning in agony from the headache, and there the staff were, just sweeping the floor and occasionally asking me if I felt any better. I kept moaning "I need a doctor", and after I'd say about a half hour, one of the nurses FINALLY called 911. That was the worst thing that happened, but not the only one. When I was trying to get self-care at that centre, no one could give me a bloody straight answer as to WHY I couldn't do it. I knew I couldn't do it, but I simply wanted to know the EXACT reason. Even the clinic manager couldn't tell me straight. I finally got the information I wanted from DSI's corporate headquarters (and they were very nice to me). As for the centre itself, they did have ice, but good luck getting a staff member to get it for you because they would always forget. There was one time I was getting on the machine, and I reminded the tech to turn the machine so I could see it. She said she would right after she did this little thing or that little thing, then she would walk away without doing it  . There were a couple times when that happened and I just said screw it, and I moved the machine myself. The TVs were also way up near the ceiling, and each had to be shared by like three or four patients. The in-centre patients at my current Davita centre get their own plasma TV at their chair. OK, I think that's enough DSI bashing for me. Sorry I kind of stole your thread, Rerun.

Adam

[Rerun]

Adam I'm glad you know what I'm saying here.  I feel sorry for these incenter people who have only been to that one center and don't know any different.  These centers could make patienets sweep the floor and clean toilets and they would do it not knowing any different.

    to the staff.......

[bolta72]

I must be very lucky or am in one of few, I am at a Davita and have no problems with my care.

[Gramapat]

I have only been on dialysis for 5 months.  Been at 2 centers - both Davita.  I have nothing to compare them to but have no complaints.  The techs have been great, so have the nurses.  The one I'm at now had a problem with these awful little flies but have finally got them under control. They just painted and put in a new floor to make it a better environment.  Much more cheery.  I've read the complaints about Davita but haven't got any myself.

[KR Cincy]

I'm also a DaVita client and they have been, and continue to be, great for me and my family...caring, flexible, and very outcome-focused.

[kitkatz]

Lead a petition and ask for an ice machine and for the things you want.  It makes you a trouble maker but it is fun!