Questions to Ask When Choosing an In-Center Dialysis Provider

[okarol]

Questions to Ask When Choosing an In-Center Dialysis Provider

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By Karol Franks                          (From Karol's Blog: http://okarol.blogspot.com/)
 
Not all dialysis centers are the same and their rules and procedures can vary. The willingness of the dialysis center staff to address these questions will give you a good idea of the level of customer service you can expect to get.
 
1.      Can I visit the center before beginning dialysis?
2.      What is the process for the first treatments?
3.      How many stations (chairs) are there and how many shifts?
4.      What shift can I expect to get? What if I have school or a job?
5.      Can patients eat or drink while being treated?
6.      Are TV's shared or individual?
7.      Is there free wifi?
8.      Are visitors allowed during treatment?
9.      How do you handle holiday scheduling?
10. What if I need to modify my schedule? How do I arrange this and who do I contact?
11. Who is the operating manager? What is their backround? Are they a caregiver, RN, RD, MSW, etc. or a corporation?
12. What precautions are taken to make sure I don't get someone elses disease or an infection?
13. How many RN's are there per shift?
14. How many techs? What is their training/certification?
15. Who will be cannulating (nurse or techs?)
16. Do you have trainees cannulating patients? Are patients informed of this and given a choice?
17. Do you encourage and teach self-cannulation?
18. Are patients taught how the dialysis machines work?
19. Can I get a copy of my monthly lab slips?
20. How often can I expect to see the nephrologist?
21. Is there a support group? For patient and family?
22. Do you offer help with pain? Lidocaine injections? EMLA cream? Benadryl?
23. Do you offer Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)? If not, do you know of any centers that do?
24. When are PD nurses here at the dialysis center? If I need help after hours, who do I call?
25. Do you offer home hemo training?
26. Is nocturnal dialysis available!? Can I come in to observe?
27. Is a social worker able to assist with Medicare and kidney transplant questions?
28. Is renal diet and nutrition counseling given?
29. What lab levels are used before giving epogen/iron?
30. Do you help arrange transportation to the dialysis center?
31. Can you assist me with scheduling if I want to travel while on dialysis?
32. What is the complaint or grievance procedure?
 
When you're new to dialysis it can be overwhelming, so not all these issues will make sense at first. But knowledge is power and having information up front can help you have a better experience.

About the Author
Karol Franks lives in Southern California. She is married and a mother of 4. Her 24 year old daughter received a kidney from an altruistic donor in Jan. 2007, and as a result Karol became an advocate for patients and living donors. She serves as an administrator for www.livingdonorsonline.org - an online community for living organ donors, potential donors, their families, and medical professionals. She also volunteers as an administrator for ihatedialysis.com, a patient support forum for patients and their families as they cope with living with kidney disease.
 
Last Updated April 2011
   


The information on KidneyTimes.com is provided for general information purposes only.
Always consult with your healthcare team before making any changes to your healthcare or nutrition regime.

KidneyTimes.com is a program of Renal Suppot Network.
For more information about RSN go to RSNhope.org.

http://www.kidneytimes.com/article.php?id=20110421165503

[Zach]

Do you have a bowling team?
 

[okarol]

Do you have a bowling team?
 

Dang it! I knew I should have had you review this!! 

[Rerun]

Do you have an ice machine?   

Does the Doctor come talk to you (in clinic) so everyone in the whole unit knows about your depression and wanting to kill yourself and the one humming and making odd noises beside you? 

Good job Karol.  Was this published??

[okarol]

LOL Rerun, I should have included a short questionnaire about the other patients, "Is there anyone who rants, hums, belches, sings, farts or screams during their treatment?"
It was published in Renal Support Network's Kidney Times.

[KarenInWA]

Mine has an ice machine, and a microwave! And, they encourage you to eat during treatment! (no vending machines, though...  )

Mine also welcomes visitors, as long as they're not unruly and nasty.  I so far consider myself lucky when it comes to clinics.  Now if only something could be done about that "clinic smell"...

KarenInWA

[Hazmat35]

We have Wi-Fi, Tv's, Ice Machines, and Microwaves.  Ocassionally, someone brings in a new DVD that we can all watch if we choose to. 

We can eat and drink while we are hooked up, as long as we take our BINDERS!  NO BINDERS no snacks!!!! 

Also, we have a coffee machine running.  Mostly for the Nurses and Techs, but when they make a fresh pot, someone always makes the rounds asking if anybody wants some. 

[greg10]

Questions to Ask When Choosing an In-Center Dialysis Provider
..  http://www.kidneytimes.com/article.php?id=20110421165503

There is a DaVita clinic just a mile away from my home, but I am at the non-profit Puget Sound Kidney Center. 
DaVita is only open during work hours, and I'd rather go to a non-profit, especially after all I've read here!

[okarol]

 

[Heisenburg]

When there is only one provider you ask if you can use the nearest centre.
My nearest unit is 12 kilometres away and I was there from the day it opened.
No WiFi but individual TVs and we are supplied a sandwich and can plug in
a computer etc. Internet is available via individual mobile phone services.
We can have visitors and we can eat and drink (and be merry?)