more than just a little screw up?

[twirl]

this morning I was seconds from being stuck and the charge nurse happens to walk over and look at my machine-
turns out the cartridge dialyizer thing was wrong - they had mine mixed up with a man who comes in about 30 minutes after me -
made me afraid but the tech said it was not a big deal - nothing happened - she made light of it - I was so mad and upset - this unit has gotten laxed in everything they used to do to get us on and reading the dialyizer is one thing they leave off - to get people on quicker
what would have happened if I would have been stuck and the machine started...
I asked the charge nurse and it was kind of hushed up ...... I feel nervous about this------ the tech is one of my favorite ones---
she kept telling me my long hair is so pretty and my children are beautiful ---------- made me wonder if she was trying to get on my good side-
you know my children are beautiful but why tell me today---

[willieandwinnie]

twirl  I'm so sorry you had a bad morning. Does your center do re-use? The FMC center Len went to try it for a couple of weeks on Len, but something they use to clean the filters gave him a bad reaction and they stopped it. I never did like the re-use cartridge thing. You need to check that you have the right cartridge and also the right bi-carb. Len's center tried to use 2K on everyone, but Len was on 1K and I always checked and checked amount they were pulling off and give back amount. I know they were glad to see us go to home-hemo, just to get rid of me. I really got pissed at them when Len got his transplant all they could say was "how did you get one so quickly". Just really pissed me off.

Anyway, twirl, check everything they do for you. You can never be safe enough. Take care. 

[twirl]

yes we reuse--- which I think makes me more worried
  to you

[David13]

Twirl, I am so sorry this happened and upset you.   

If you are in a center that reuses dialyzers, one of the most basic things that should be done is that the dialyzer is independently checked by 2 different people prior to your being connected to the system.  It should be checked to ensure that it is indeed YOUR dialyzer and that it is the correct type of dialyzer.  It should also be checked that it is negative for renalin (a sterilizer that is used to clean the dialyzer in between treatments). 

Make sure that these checks are being done before each and every one of your treatments, and make sure that it is done in your presence.  Don't let them tell you, "We checked it before you got here".  Don't feel bad about making them do this either, particularly since they almost put you on someone else's dialyzer today and potentially exposed you to infection.  It is your health and safety that is at stake.   

[twirl]

thanks David13

[Rerun]

I'm a fan of reuse because I've been led to believe that the little holes get bigger with time and get more toxins out.  My Nocturnal in center does not do reuse anymore.  The old center in Sacramento was a DaVita and the techs would read the tag on my dialyzer to me before they hooked me up. 

I would be furious if they had the wrong dialyzer!     You could get hep C or whatever!   Plus you had to wait until they reset the machine with a new dialyzer, tubing and rinse.  Right??  I hope they did that??

[sickofbeingsick]

So sorry about that Twirl--I hope you're feeling better now. That is why I am a fan of NON REUSE. I've seen that happen too many times.

[twirl]

a few months ago I signed a paper stating I would use reuse
maybe I should reconsider that option

[sickofbeingsick]

a few months ago I signed a paper stating I would use reuse
maybe I should reconsider that option

When I first started dialysis at Fresenius we were one reuse. They  gave out pamphlets listing why it was better for you--"it coats the dialyzer with your own antibodies", blah blah blah...Then a few years later when they wanted to switch to non-reuse we got that same pamphlet about why non-reuse it better. So which one is it??? All these big companies do is change the game around to  suit  THEIR needs--they don't care about what is best for the patient. And as far as reuse is concerned, I think that is just a money issue. Everyone knows it's cheaper for the company to reuse the same dialyzer x amount of times rather than to use a new one each and every time. Try non-reuse, Twirl--you won't feel any worse than on reuse...

[kitkatz]

I am not a reuse person. The dialysis center in 2004 tried to kill me off with the renalyn. We did not realize I was allergic to it or allergic to the dialyzers fibers. I do not let any center put me on a reuse dialyzer.

There should have been an ass-kicking done in your center! 

[monrein]

Twirl, what a crappy way to start your day.  If you have a choice re reuse you could try to go to single use only and see if you feel any different or if your clearances are worse.  I've never done reuse myself and they do at some of the hospitals but people have a choice.
   that's for whoever made the mistake.

[okarol]

At least the charge nurse was paying attention - I guess that's the bright side? 

[twirl]

I am glad the charge nurse was there
however, the lack of concern and the attitude of no big deal really upset me
sorta like
so what
nothing happened
but I was seconds away from diseaster

[kitkatz]

I had that happen one day. Is aid this is not my dialyzer and the tech quickly changed it.  Worried me for quite a while.  You bet I checked it from then on!

[G-Ma]

Oh twirl. I'm sorry you had a start like this to your day.  My reading vision is bad so they always put my name in huge marker on my dializer and the center was very very good about two people and the patient checking it and they did reuse.  I really don't know that I felt better or worse when a new dializer was put it, I agree that may be a "corporate" thing, telling patients it is better or not. I hope you have a much better week.
Ann

[flip]

You don't have to use reuse dialyzers. It's the law here and probably most other states too. True, there are some advantages in reuse dialyzers because of the larger pores and the fact that some of your antibodies remain in the membrane. But, some of the chemicals used in the cleaning process are toxic. When my center did reuse, pregnant nurses were excluded from cleaning dialyzers due to risks to the fetus.

[del]

No centers in this province reuse dialyzers.  Hubby always checked his machine though to make sure they had the right dialyzer and bath. His bicarb was changed once because there was a mistake made and it was supposed to be someone else's that was supposed to be changed!! We also checked the math on how much fluid they said had to be removed.  There were a couple of mistakes made first when he started in center.

Always do a check on your machine from now on twirl!!!  It WAS a big deal if it was somebody else's diayzer on your machine. Could have made you very sick!!

[aharris2]

a few months ago I signed a paper stating I would use reuse
maybe I should reconsider that option

  SINGLE USE  SINGLE USE  SINGLE USE 

One side effect of overwork (short staff) and inexperience (turnover) is ERROR. We are relative newcomers to the single use side but it is due to observed error.

[twirl]

I am worried about tomottow
I am requesting to use new ones - not reused
I will gladly tell them why
I think you guys ----do not suck ---  you are the best

[Robby712]

Don't you have to sign off on it if they want to reuse? 

I would walk in there next treatment and say I'm no longer willing to reuse.  That way 1) They know you were unhappy with what happened and 2) They have to open a NEW dialyzer/filter every time you go in.  No chance of a mix-up there.

[MIbarra]

Good luck Twirl. Take the big stick!

[flip]

They can not use reuse filters without your approval. If you demand new ones, they have to comply.

[pelagia]

but they can charge your insurance company a lot of money while they are making the mistake...