We have a "No Eating' rule

[hurlock1]

Recently, there have been bulletins, offered  by the management, saying no food and with “almost” reasonable excuses why. Some of the reasons are, the threat of choking. Of course, the threat of choking is always present. If that were the case, OSHA would make it illegal to eat by yourself anywhere. It is my opinion that there would no better place to choke than in a room full of healthcare professionals, that have taken courses in CPR. Once, I performed the Himelick maneuver on a guy while I was in the VA hospital, having only read the poster on the wall. It wasn't any Biggy. Then there is the excuse, of the threat of spreading communicable diseases. There was a caretaker at the center with an obvious cold, nose dripping and everything, but he wasn't asked to stay at home.
I would like to know if the no eating rule is industry wide. We are not allowed coffee, even while the workers are running around with cups of coffee. I'm not sure what the excuse for that is. I guess that there's only so much coffee, or the center is too cheap to offer coffee to the patients that actually justify their existence in their jobs.

[Zach]

Some centers allow eating, some don't.

[hurlock1]

Some centers allow eating, some don't.

I started this thread to get some replies so I could show them to the "Director" of our center. I'm hoping that as many as possible show that "most" centers do allow eating. In another post it seems that you said that some centers even supplied snacks or sandwiches. I have a poor memory so I don't really remember if it was you, or if I dreamed it. I think that even though my time was shortened by a 1/2 hr. I would be much more likely to stay my full time if I weren't hungry.

[Zach]

Here is a thread that speaks to the issue.



http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=1129.msg14165#msg14165

[BigSky]

The threat of choking while eating is increased over that of outside the unit.

As it is its pretty hard for ANYONE to try to pick up a 150 pounds or more of dead weight.

Say one passes out and starts choking. 

Now try to pick up that 150 pounds or more of dead weight that is lying in a chair  without ripping out the bloodlines and then trying to perform the heimlich maneuver on them.   


Our center went to no eating and drinking and its one of the best things they did.

[okarol]

Here is a thread that speaks to the issue.



http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=1129.msg14165#msg14165

Thanks Zach.
That "Search" feature sure is a remarkable thing, I have found! 

[lizabee]

WOW that stinks.  My center allows eating and even sometimes has a group breakfast where they cook for all of the patients!  I have gotten so used to it now, I  couldn't imagine it any other way.  What if someone is Diabetic?  They should be allowed to eat if need be!

[Steve-0]

Doing home dialysis, I eat while on it.  One time, I started to choke on a stupid piece of candy.   I managed to be fine, but my wife freaked out.  We came up with a way for her to administer the Heimlich maneuver if needed.  Kinda scary, and its a risk but life is full of them.  I enjoy eating on dialysis.

~Steve

[Hanify]

When I did in centre haemo (in NZ) we were allowed to eat.  Sometimes they would bring a full meal for a person who was there from the ward.  They always came around with tea/coffee/milo.  I think this is strandard throughout NZ.  Having said this, I did vomit a couple of times after eating, but they just cleaned it up and encouraged me to have another drink, and a bit more to eat, and said I would get better at it!

[del]

At the units here you can eat and drink if you want.  Some people need to eat or drink something while they are on dialysis to keep them from getting sick.  Others get sick from eating though so you have to be careful. What happens if you aren't allowed to drink and your blood pressure drops?  Hubby always wanted something to drink instead of saline.  Saline would always make him very thirsty.  I also wonder about diabetics and how they manage if they have a blood sugar drop.

[Rerun]

Hurlock, it seems to me that you are a very normal person who is outraged by the whole dialysis arena as we all are.  You have brought up every point that pissed me off too.

I'll tell you that 20 years ago in the United States they served us "meals" at dialysis.  I guess one person in Tennessee choked?  or something.... and now NONE of us can eat.  Makes sense doesn't it?

I take a snack of a Pop-Tart (one not two) and a NePro Protein drink.  No one says anything.  It is the Broasted WHOLE chicken that this guy tried to smuggle in that they frown on.  I also would not bring in a 7-11 BIG GULP. 

You have to remember that this site has people from all over the world, so some units still serve food in other countries.

[cariad]

Sorry if this has already been mentioned somewhere, but the medicare handbook mentions your exact situation as an example of the kind of complaint that the ESRD Network can help resolve.

http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11314.pdf

Perhaps you could contact them? Apparently, you can complain anonymously. I would be ticked off if a center tried to stop me from eating, especially since I know there are centers in this country that allow it. Good luck.

[YLGuy]

I bring in a frozen bottle of water, a Nepro & usually and a piece of fruit.  They sometimes bring snacks around that are renal friendly.  Some are made from the Davita website and if you would like they give you a copy of the recipe.

[Stacy Without An E]

You're allowed to eat and drink in my clinic, but by the time I arrive at 5pm it smells like old feet and stale parmesan cheese blended with unwashed ass.

Not the most appetizing environment, that's for sure.

[jennyc]

I know i haven't done haemo for quite a while but when i was on it they actually provided us with lunch, i can specifially remember lying across from this one guy who was almost bubbling over with joy becuase it was his favourite lunch i can still remember it was chicken with potato salad (he thought it was great becuase being a hospital they were usually really strict). The tea and coffe lady used to come around as well. Then again the dialysis unit was in a public hospital so maybe that's different. I don't think it's changed though cause the satelite unit i go to for PD and will be going to for haemo training has a dialysis unit in it and there is a tea and coffee machine. Maybe someone who goes to westmead or blacktown can clarify that (as i said it was over 6 years ago). Also when i was an inpatient my lunches used to get delivered to the dialysis unit (same unit for inpatients and outpatients, they just wheeled your bed in).

Also if you look at this site http://www.sah.org.au/San-Renal-Dialysis (it is a private hosptial in sydney with a renal unit attached) they provide refreshments as well.

Maybe it's an American thing (not being you know) it's just that the US centres do things a lot differently to our units and have a lot of different rules that don't apply out here.

[RichardMEL]

Yes Jenny I'm in a public hossie dialysis unit and we get tea/coffee and sandwiches &fruit.... it's fairly civilised in that respect

[Ken Shelmerdine]

We get sandwiches tea, fruit juices and cake plus biscuits or you can eat anything you bring in yourself.

[VeloTypo]

The only things my center provides is nice crushed ice and popcorn! But you can bring in anything (within reason) that you want, the nurse had to confiscate a banana from one patient. I started at a unit that did not allow any eating at all, but at the unit I am at now we can eat, I usually just bring a few cookies, but it makes a big difference in keeping my stomach happy!

[fc2821]

      The clinic I was in, in Illinois, was posted a "no food or drink allowed on the floor", but we were not only allowed but encouraged to bring along a small (preferably dry) snack. the staff use to give us coffee on ocassion, till a visitinng supervisor found out and ended that. At the same clinic,one lady (right after I first started there) used her cell phone to order a pizza. When the guy showed up to deliver it, the staff became  aware of the order and stopped delivery as well as "counciled" about it. She knew better, had been there for over a year, but likke to "push" things to see what she could get away with.  She was very non compliiant and she paid for this. She was a good example of what not to do. She smoked (not on treatment), darnk (or so she told me) alcohol to excess, did not follow the recomended diet. She was in her early thirties when she surcomed to a massive heart attack. She was a very lively person and I enjoyed talking to her. Sorry, I got off the topic a bit.
      At the  clinic am in now, you also can bring in a small snack. I see some people with drinks as well. They give me a bottle of Nepro half way through treatment. It keep my empty stomach happy. Luckily I am not diabetic, so I don't have to worry about blood sugar issues like some do. I would hope that is taken into account for those with that problem.

[Savemeimdtba]

I always brought a snack with me to hemo (usually crackers of some sort) and a bottle of water - no one ever said anything to me. I would always start to feel queazy half way through so I HAD to have something.. I think they prefer it to me throwing up

[kidneysblowingchunks]

The center I go to here in Sarasota permits eating. The patients are pretty good about keeping the food to a "dull roar". I haven't seen anyone eating a sub or anything big. Usually compact stuff.

[bette1]

I have always been a little peeved by the no eating rule because it seems so arbitrary to me.  The first center I started at in Illinois encouraged us to bring a small snack, but when I changed units the new unit had a no eating rule.  I've traveled quite a bit and most units I've visited allow eating.  I personally think its to make it easier for the staff. 

That said, I usually bring pretzels and a bottle of water.  I find that I feel better if I eat a little something and I'm not so hungry after treatment.  The staff will give you a cup of water if you're thirsty but its a tiny dixie cup of warm water - who wants that?

[jennyc]

Seems like they forget your human. There really is no compassion. It reminds me of that dialysis cartoon....

If there are any anarchists, maybe you should take a healthy sandwich and a bannana and just tell them, hey i'm going to eat one or the other...... you decide which one 

[kidneysblowingchunks]

 
I had thought of taking a large bottle of V-8' in and telling them to dialisyse that so I can get a day off.

My friday nights are shot because of dialisys.

Think they'd say anything if I filled a vodka bottle with water?

Seems like they forget your human. There really is no compassion. It reminds me of that dialysis cartoon....

If there are any anarchists, maybe you should take a healthy sandwich and a bannana and just tell them, hey i'm going to eat one or the other...... you decide which one 

[harv]

most of the clinics here in the Philippines allow eating but a few have some guidelines just for sanitation purposes.  I am all for  eating as long as done in moderation and does not become a custodial nightmare.  Nick brings snacks and crackers with him and I do not see anything wrong with it.  I would be more concerned about the full meals like from takeout that is loaded with fats and salt.
Harv--after 15 years of taking care of dialysis centers and now taking care of a dialysis patient who is my best friend here.