Dialysis clinic = Funeral Parlour

[Shaymon]

I juts thought I'd share this with you guys..........I try to see the funny side but there is a serious flaw here.

I went to my local Dialysis clinic yesterday for the first time. I had arranged to get some tissue type blood tests done so that I can go on the transplant list (all NHS practice here in the UK).

Well All I can say is that its not for the faint hearted. Those people who are really scared of what is going to happen to them during dialysis and what ever treatment there is out there......not everyone one is brave or confident so anyway back to the story...........

I opened the double door which said  'Renal Unit clinic J'  and walked in I was astounded. The reception hall was dark with light linoleum on the floors, a few high backed Leather look plastic padded chairs in 2 rows facing each other, a small dark book case with a redundant music system on it. Books that were about 600 years old but look like they've never been touched. A fish tank in dark wood surround with a few sucker fish swimming around. One wall there was a notice board with the usual support details on it. The reception window was at least 4 foot square but there were so many signs on it the there was only a small hole to talk to the receptionist through. The wall were covered in a dark wall paper cloth effect completely adorned with numerous signs on .......... IN LOVING MEMORY OF ...  there were dozens of them. Please don't get me wrong I know the consequences of CKD, ESRD and dialysis but was this necessary. the difference between here and a funeral parlour was that there weren't any samples of masonry to view.

Some poor guy whose wife died 4 weeks before was returning some sharps to the unit and he was made to talk so loudly that the whole reception area could hear it.

Please don't get me wrong here I'm trying to describe my experience and show some respect but really..............who wants to walk into a place like that for the first time with out being forewarned? especially those who are scared and apprehensive. It really doesn't inspire confidence here. I think that I need to give some feed back to the unit on this.

What was/is your experience of your first visit? was it welcoming or do you feel that you opened the door to the last floor? I'd be interested to hear

Many thanks with respect

yours

Shaymon

[jbeany]

My dialysis unit was in the same building as the local mental health lock down facility and out patient treatment center.  There was only one waiting area where everyone sat listening for their name to be called over the intercom.  It wasn't depressing, really, although it did make me wonder about what some of the other patients in the waiting room were muttering to themselves.   I did think it was convenient that when I cracked up from my D treatments, they could just roll me across the hall to the psych ward!

[RichardMEL]

Wow that sounds like quite a place.

I think the "first time" can be confronting for anyone (heck, some years back I took a girl I was dating for quite some time to the unit before I was hooked up because she expressed an interest - shortly thereafter she went distant and broke up with me - I think she was profoundly affected by what she saw - and that didn't even include me being hooked up!). It's even worse when you're the one who's going to have to be in one of those chairs in the none too distant future.

I think the key more than the environment is *education* and preparation. I will say my unit was very good in terms of holding pre-dialysis seminars and so on that went for 3-4 hours. Showing us all the machines, needles, explaining what happens(as best you can without doing it), took questions etc. Because I had plenty of warning I could prepare myself mentally to go in there. The staff were lovely and welcomed me and made my first experience as good as possible (and yes, we had some problems with my access).

The actual unit is pretty depressing though - not in the funeral parlour way (no "rememberance" stuff, though often people will send flowers or things for the nurses if a loved one was looked after by them) but the actual treatment area is your standard hospital cream walls with a few dirty windows and not much on the walls apart from the odd Potassium chart or stuff abut fluids or whatever. I often vowed if I won the lottery I'd at least organise a more cheery paint job!

I'm sorry you had such a confronting introduction to a dialysis unit. There are many aspects that can't be helped, but I think the attitude of staff, and small things can make a difference. I was blessed to have a fantastic unit staff and that made the drab surrounds and those feelings of mortality born of the many older and sometimes suffering patients melt away to some extent. I hope your experience, when/if you get there, is better than you think.

[Rerun]

My first visit I had to tell them what "funeral home" I'd be sent to if something happened!  No kidding!

I met my social worker who was a retard!  I have no idea how she even had a job! 

Yeah, if it wasn't life or death..... I would have never went back.

I don't go there anymore..... I moved!   

[rsudock]

each time I go to a new unit I cry...just the stress of change and hoping for a tech that isn't an idiot. fresineus had a hole in the wall for a reception area probably as big as a paper bag. CDC has a nice big open reception area. magazine racks, info bulletin boards, hot drink station, ice machine, and table and chairs. very quaint and cozy. it is nice and bright...one unique thing they have is an art therapist on staff so there is many patients artwork framed and posted all over the hallways. kinda a nice touch I think...

[Sax-O-Trix]

I took a small group of young musicians to our local hospital owned Nursing Home before x-mas to perform for the residents.  We had to walk through the dialysis unit in order to get to the area where we were to perform.  We were able to see all the dialysis patients hooked up as we walked by the open doors.  The unit looks to be bout 50 long and only 10-12 feet wide, a rectangle shape.  Dreary, dark and flippin scary.  What did I notice?  Dirt/fuzz balls the size of quarters piled up on the edges of the doorways, really dirty floors (obviously, the cleaner just slops a mop around and calls it a day) and the SMELL was horrendous. 

I will be damned if I will go to this particular local dialysis center (next closest one is 65 miles away).  I don't have a partner to help with NX-Stage (I don't think a soon to be 14 year old is old enough to be of assistance), so if I don't get a preemptive transplant, I will opt for PD.   

[Bajanne]

My dialysis unit is very cheerful.  that was one of the things that helped me.  It is in a newly built annex of the hospital.  Everything is squeeky clean and shining.  When I first found out that I had to be on dialysis, I was freaking out because I remembered visiting my brother in the dialysis unit in Barbados and found it seemed dark and foreboding.  A patient (who was a nurse) took me to see the dialysis unit here and it was so bright looking, it calmed me for a while.
They are very scrupulous about cleaning; the place smells great - no hospital smells.

[Desert Dancer]

The first unit I ever walked into was pretty brightly-lit, but maybe it would have been better if it hadn't been. My first impression was 'warehouse'; it was a long, rectangular room with about twelve chairs down each side facing each other over the med stations and nursing stations. Every single chair was filled with an absolute wreck of a human being. My heart sank when we walked in there, and so did Andy's.

The unit I transferred to for home training consists only of self-care patients and home patients, and there are only six chairs in a semicircle around the nurses' station. Everything is spotless. I felt far more optimistic when I walked in there.

[woodsman]

I recently had to visit one in Bradford PA. for info and a tour. I am hunter, i cut my own wood, i build things and i consider myself to be a man;s man. So while she (the nurse in charge) was explaining NX state to me i was sitting there and taking it all in. NX stage seems good but maybe to much for my wife to handle everyday. THEN we went on the tour of the dialysis unit the nurse wanted me to feel and see some of the fistulas that folks in there had (mine was to be done soon). So in we went and began at one end and we worked our way around and at each bed,chair, whatever i could not believe all the people just laying there doing nothing, no TV's radio's laptops, no nothing just people laying there looking well close to death.

As we mover from person to person while needles were shooting fluids up in the air and people were moving around fast with face shields on and cheap lab coats, no one talking just machines beeping and i began to get as uncomfortable as i had never been in my life ever (i was in nam). I made a mad dash for the door leading out and went back into the room where we began. The nurse came in then my wife (nurse also) and i was sitting there in shock and i began to tear up. I don't tear up ever but i did here and i teared up not for me but for all the fine people that were just laying there hooked up and in a what looked to me coma. I told both of them i would not go there for dialysis and i wanted to train on NX stage. Of all the things i have seen and been through in my life ... i have never been more shaken to the bone by this experience. The nurses and other staff there were the best but the facility was old and if i were to run the place things would be much much different...

[GraphicBass]

My center is bright and clean, but the same thing with most of the patients sleeping or staring into TVs (at least they have something to do to pass the time).

When I went for my very first treatment, my initial impression was that I had walked into a scene from the movie "Alien", with all the beeping, bloodlines everywhere, masks and gowns and gloves, and skeletal arm-like holders for the individual televisions. Quite a sensory overload.

Still is, but I tune it out with the reading, studying and work I bring with me to do each time. Not for the faint of heart or those made ill by the sight of bloodlines.

gary

[Sax-O-Trix]

Woodsman, I think we live close to one another. 

[Stoday]

I don't suppose anyone forgets the shock of their first visit to a centre.

After I'd been there a few minutes I started to look around for the fires. I came back to earth when I didn't see any. 

[MooseMom]

I read the original post yesterday and have been thinking about it ever since.  I spent six weeks in an NHS hospital in Croydon back in 1991, and while I got good care, I can't say the facility itself was particularly wonderful (it was the antenatal/postnatal ward).  NHS facilites are not going to win any awards for presentation.

The first time I went to my dialysis clinic, I went to see the renal dietician, so I didn't get to see where the chairs are.  I walked in the anteroom and was greeted by the sight of several befuddled elderly people in wheelchairs awaiting their transport.  I just kept telling myself, "I'm not like them, I'm not like them."

My mother was on dialysis for 5 years, and during that time, she visited at least 7 different clinics around the country while visiting family.  I went inside quite a few of them when allowed, and one or two of them were really quite nice indeed.  It's really a hit or miss proposition...you can get lucky and have a nice clinic with cheery people, or you can have a shoddy place with dreary people who make you feel like they're doing you a huge favour by sticking needles in your arm.

I will be doing my dialysis at home, but at the same time, I'm going to begin advocating for better dialysis for those patients who for whatever reason are unable to do the same and are stuck in a clinic.

[KICKSTART]

My first encounter of HD after 6+ years of PD made me break down. Everyone is sent to the largest unit we have to start , i think it covers all the NW. It was massive , full of beds , machines , bright lights , lots of side rooms for the really poorly people , but all the doors wide open. Loads of people in wheelchairs. I walked into the main room , machines alarming everywhere , nurse unconcerned. I stood there for about 5 mins and it felt like an out of body experience, i felt the room going further and further away from me . I turned and ran , found the nearest toilet and promptly threw up ! My permanent unit now is so different , its 12 beds , only built 7 years ago , has its own entrance away from the main part of the hospital , its own cleaners, shame the staff dont match it !

[Kay]

Evening IHD folk,
The first time my husband had out-patient HD - he really freaked out. He refused to get in the chair, complained that everything was dirty, the nurse was patience personified and after twenty minutes he finally agreed to be hooked up. He then proceeded to be absolutely vile towards me - saying we were all in a conspiracy to kill him - it was very draining and I wept out in the corridor. I am sure the toxins in his body were affecting his mind!  Fortunately he did get more relaxed as time passed and he got to know the other patients and staff. We do CAPD now - more gentle and empowering. Those first few weeks, following his being in ICU were ones I hope never to re-visit - God willing.  Kay

[reidt22]

This is a very interesting post!

My first visit to the clinic is a story I like to tell.  I was 23 years old, nervous and going to the clinic for my introduction to the renal care team and to meet one of the half dozen or so doctors.  At this time I had chosen to keep my family in the dark until I knew more, so I was alone.  It's a long drive to the clinic (about an hour) and it took a few U-turns, but I found my way eventually.  When I got there I was having a hard time finding the entrance when a man came up to me and offered to help me find my way.  He lead me through the dialysis entrance and rhymed off names as we walked through the clinic, he walked up to the reception with me, introduced me to the receptionist and sat down.  After I had signed in I turned around to see that there was an open seat next to this kind man so I sat down and he introduced me to more people waiting in the same room.  After a 10 - 15 minute talk with these people and a quick tour with a complete stranger I was feeling confident and comfortable.  I went in for my introduction with the nursing staff and doctor and took the official tour, which lead me back through a path with already familiar faces and was very impressed with the atrium style dialysis room...when all was said and done my first visit to the dialysis centre was very promising.

I hope that someday I will get the chance to help some newbie get adjusted to the clinic also..

For now,

Tim

[RichardMEL]

In a strange twist of fate, or co-incidence, the other day I was visiting my dialysis clinic to weigh myself and say hello and who did I see? the first nurse who needled me for my FIRST session ever was in working. She had been off for over 3 years when she had 2 kids. We had a great old catch up, but the first thing she said was "I remember you passed out when you saw blood!"  and was giving me heaps about how bad I was for my first time (such a teaser!). That was really funny. Well this thread came to mind and we had a discussion about introductions to dialysis and how it can be good or bad. We had a great catch up, but she didn't get much work done (nobody seemed to mind as it was quiet and there was nobody there that needed anything)

[kristina]

I juts thought I'd share this with you guys..........I try to see the funny side but there is a serious flaw here.

I went to my local Dialysis clinic yesterday for the first time. I had arranged to get some tissue type blood tests done so that I can go on the transplant list (all NHS practice here in the UK).

Well All I can say is that its not for the faint hearted. Those people who are really scared of what is going to happen to them during dialysis and what ever treatment there is out there......not everyone one is brave or confident so anyway back to the story...........

I opened the double door which said  'Renal Unit clinic J'  and walked in I was astounded. The reception hall was dark with light linoleum on the floors, a few high backed Leather look plastic padded chairs in 2 rows facing each other, a small dark book case with a redundant music system on it. Books that were about 600 years old but look like they've never been touched. A fish tank in dark wood surround with a few sucker fish swimming around. One wall there was a notice board with the usual support details on it. The reception window was at least 4 foot square but there were so many signs on it the there was only a small hole to talk to the receptionist through. The wall were covered in a dark wall paper cloth effect completely adorned with numerous signs on .......... IN LOVING MEMORY OF ...  there were dozens of them. Please don't get me wrong I know the consequences of CKD, ESRD and dialysis but was this necessary. the difference between here and a funeral parlour was that there weren't any samples of masonry to view.

Some poor guy whose wife died 4 weeks before was returning some sharps to the unit and he was made to talk so loudly that the whole reception area could hear it.

Please don't get me wrong here I'm trying to describe my experience and show some respect but really..............who wants to walk into a place like that for the first time with out being forewarned? especially those who are scared and apprehensive. It really doesn't inspire confidence here. I think that I need to give some feed back to the unit on this.

What was/is your experience of your first visit? was it welcoming or do you feel that you opened the door to the last floor? I'd be interested to hear

Many thanks with respect

yours

Shaymon

This Dialysis-centre-Funeral-Parlour ...  is it in London?

I am asking because I saw a similar centre in London
& it was extremely frightening & certainly off-putting.

The centre I saw gave me the feeling there is no hope at all,
& I wonder how Dialysis-patients are able to put up with such centres?

Kind regards from Kristina.

P.S. I am also pre-Dialysis.

[Stoday]

I had a problem initially getting regular dialysis here in the East of England. One day there was an easle and board in renal reception, the notice telling everyone about the death of a former patient.

It gave me the impression that I was taking over her chair. But the good news is that after that I got regular sessions.