Colorado Dialysis Technician Training Standards hearing - February 1st

[plugger]

Hi,

I'm a father with a daughter who now has a kidney transplant. She was on dialysis for less than a year and has had her transplant since 2000. I've read a great deal and heard from many about the conditions that exist in this field of medicine - let's just say I'm very concerned.

A group of us have been hard at work trying to improve conditions and have put together a state bill for hemodialysis technician training standards for the state of Colorado.  I would like to post the bill and ask for help with our hearing on February 1st.

I just wanted to say things are happening much quicker than I anticipated.  We are due to give testimony February 1st at 1:30pm in front of the Health and Human Services Committee concerning the need for hemodialysis technician training standards.  Other bills are on the agenda but 1:30pm is the earliest we could be starting.

We very much would like to have testimony from those receiving dialysis in Colorado, those Coloradoans with a kidney transplant who care to comment on the need for technician training standards, staff, and any former staff would also be welcome.  The committee would very much like to hear from those directly involved in the treatments.  If there isn't enough testimony the committee might assume there aren't any problems and allow things to continue the way they have been.
 
I asked about phone-in testimony and my state rep said no; the only testimony we can have is testimony that can be written then read by another and testimony given by those who show up.  I should add anonymous testimony will be allowed.
 
Also if you want to talk to my state representative directly, he is very open to listening to people about this issue and is even willing to be contacted at home - the following is his contact information:
 
Colorado State Representative John Kefalas, District 52
 
email: john.kefalas.house@state.co.us
 
State Capitol phone: (303)866-4569
home phone: 970-221-1135
 
Mailing address:
Rep. John Kefalas, District 52
c/o Colorado State Capitol
200 East Colfax
Denver CO  80203

plugger

P.S.  I have worked with John since his 2004 campaign and he is one of the most trustworthy individuals I've ever met - and not just for a politician.

[plugger]

Here is the attached bill (bottom of message) and the bill below:

REDRAFT
1.12.07
Double underlining
denotes changes from
prior draft
SHORT TITLE: "Hemodialysis Technicians Training Stds"
DEADLINES: Finalize by: 01.09.07 File by: 01.15.07
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters indicate new material to be added to existing statute.
Dashes through the words indicate deletions from existing statute.
First Regular Session
Sixty-sixth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
DRAFT
LLS NO. 07-0435.01 Christy Chase HOUSE BILL
House Committees Senate Committees
A BILL FOR AN ACT
101 CONCERNING STANDARDS FOR HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIANS AS PART
102 OF THE STATE REGULATION OF DIALYSIS TREATMENT CLINICS.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not necessarily reflect any amendments that may be subsequently
adopted.)
Requires the state board of health (state board) to adopt rules
specifying the minimum training and competency standards for
hemodialysis technicians. Prohibits a person from performing the
functions of a hemodialysis technician if the person has not satisfied the
training and competency requirements. Prohibits a dialysis treatment
clinic from allowing a person to perform hemodialysis technician
functions if the person has not satisfied the training and competency
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Kefalas,
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Bacon,
REDRAFT
1.12.07
Double underlining
denotes changes from
prior draft
-2- DRAFT
standards developed by the state board. Conditions licensure of a dialysis
treatment clinic by the department of public health and environment
(department) on compliance with this requirement. Further requires a
dialysis treatment clinic to post a notice in its facility specifying that it is
regulated by the department and the method by which consumers may
provide feedback to the clinic or the department.
1 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
2 SECTION 1. Part 1 of article 1.5 of title 25, Colorado Revised
3 Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to
4 read:
5 25-1.5-107. Regulation of dialysis treatment clinics - training
6 for hemodialysis technicians - state board of health rules - definitions
7 - repeal. (1) AS USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE
8 REQUIRES:
9 (a) "DIALYSIS TREATMENT CLINIC" MEANS A HEALTH FACILITY OR
10 A DEPARTMENT OR UNIT OF A LICENSED HOSPITAL THAT IS PLANNED,
11 ORGANIZED, OPERATED, AND MAINTAINED TO PROVIDE OUTPATIENT
12 HEMODIALYSIS TREATMENT TO, OR HEMODIALYSIS TRAINING FOR HOME
13 USE OF HEMODIALYSIS EQUIPMENT BY, END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE
14 PATIENTS.
15 (b) "END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE" MEANS THE STAGE OF RENAL
16 IMPAIRMENT THAT APPEARS IRREVERSIBLE AND PERMANENT AND THAT
17 REQUIRES A REGULAR COURSE OF DIALYSIS OR A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT TO
18 MAINTAIN LIFE.
19 (c) "HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIAN" MEANS A PERSON WHO IS NOT A
20 PHYSICIAN OR A REGISTERED NURSE AND WHO PROVIDES DIALYSIS CARE.
21 (2) THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH SHALL ADOPT RULES TO
22 ESTABLISH THE FOLLOWING:
REDRAFT
1.12.07
Double underlining
denotes changes from
prior draft
-3- DRAFT
1 (a) MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR THE CURRICULA AND INSTRUCTORS
2 USED TO TRAIN INDIVIDUALS TO PERFORM THE DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF
3 A HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIAN;
4 (b) MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF THE
5 COMPETENCY OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE TRAINED AS HEMODIALYSIS
6 TECHNICIANS;
7 (c) MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION THAT AN
8 INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN TRAINED AND DETERMINED TO BE COMPETENT TO
9 PERFORM THE TASKS OF A HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIAN;
10 (d) REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE
11 DOCUMENTATION SPECIFIED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (c) OF THIS
12 SUBSECTION (2) BY ANOTHER DIALYSIS TREATMENT CLINIC THAT MAY
13 LATER EMPLOY THE INDIVIDUAL; AND
14 (e) THE ACTS AND PRACTICES THAT ARE ALLOWED OR PROHIBITED
15 FOR HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIANS.
16 (3) (a) A PERSON SHALL NOT ACT AS, OR PERFORM THE DUTIES AND
17 FUNCTIONS OF, A HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIAN UNLESS THE PERSON IS:
18 (I) TRAINED AND DETERMINED COMPETENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH
19 STATE BOARD RULES ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS
20 SECTION; AND
21 (II) UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PHYSICIAN OR REGISTERED
22 NURSE.
23 (b) A DIALYSIS TREATMENT CLINIC LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT
24 SHALL NOT ALLOW A PERSON TO PERFORM THE DUTIES AND
25 FUNCTIONS OF A HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIAN AT OR FOR THE DIALYSIS
26 TREATMENT CLINIC IF THE PERSON IS NOT TRAINED AND DETERMINED
27 COMPETENT PURSUANT TO STATE BOARD RULES.
REDRAFT
1.12.07
Double underlining
denotes changes from
prior draft
-4- DRAFT
1 (4) IN CONNECTION WITH ITS REGULATION OF DIALYSIS
2 TREATMENT CLINICS PURSUANT TO SECTION 25-1.5-103 (1) (a) (I) AND
3 25-3-101 (1), THE DEPARTMENT SHALL VERIFY THAT A DIALYSIS
4 TREATMENT CLINIC ONLY EMPLOYS HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIANS WHO
5 HAVE BEEN TRAINED AND DETERMINED COMPETENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH
6 STATE BOARD RULES. COMPLIANCE BY A DIALYSIS TREATMENT CLINIC
7 WITH THIS SECTION SHALL BE A CONDITION OF LICENSURE BY THE
8 DEPARTMENT.
9 (5) EACH DIALYSIS TREATMENT CLINIC LICENSED BY THE
10 DEPARTMENT AND OPERATING IN THIS STATE SHALL POST A CLEAR AND
11 UNAMBIGUOUS NOTICE IN A PUBLIC LOCATION IN THE CLINIC SPECIFYING
12 THAT THE CLINIC IS LICENSED, REGULATED, AND SUBJECT TO INSPECTION
13 BY THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT.
14 THE NOTICE SHALL ALSO INFORM CONSUMERS ABOUT THE ABILITY TO
15 PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO THE CLINIC AND TO THE DEPARTMENT AND SHALL
16 DETAIL THE METHOD BY WHICH CONSUMERS CAN PROVIDE FEEDBACK.
17 THE STATE BOARD MAY ADOPT RULES, AS NECESSARY, TO SPECIFY THE
18 CONTENTS OF THE NOTICE REQUIRED BY THIS SUBSECTION (5).
19 (6) THIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2017. PRIOR TO
20 SAID REPEAL, THE FUNCTIONS OF THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH AND THE
21 DEPARTMENT REGARDING HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIANS SHALL BE
22 REVIEWED AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 24-34-104, C.R.S.
23 SECTION 2. 24-34-104 , Colorado Revised Statutes, is
24 amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SUBSECTION to read:
25 24-34-104. General assembly review of regulatory agencies
26 and functions for termination, continuation, or reestablishment.
27 (48) THE FOLLOWING AGENCIES, FUNCTIONS, OR BOTH, SHALL TERMINATE
REDRAFT
1.12.07
Double underlining
denotes changes from
prior draft
-5- DRAFT
1 ON JULY 1, 2017: THE FUNCTIONS OF THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
2 AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT REGARDING
3 HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIANS PURSUANT TO SECTION 25-1.5-107, C.R.S.
4 SECTION 3. Effective date. This act shall take effect July 1,
5 2007.
6 SECTION 4. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,
7 determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
8 preservation of the public peace, health, and safety

[Sluff]

Welcome Plugger,

I see your serious about advocacy for a better environment and workforce training of dialysis Techs. I think that is a concern for many members here at IHD.

Please go back to the introduction section and read about IHD and then go to the introduce yourself section and tell us more about yourself.

I will be looking forward to your future posts.

Sluff, Moderator

[angieskidney]

Hopefully this thread will get more recognition than it did on D&T City and the UK site  

[plugger]

Angie,

I like to think everybody is off writing their thoughts on the need for technician training and striking a blow for better care and posterity - it is also a chance to increase one's good karma.

Sluff,

I did as you asked, it seems like a friendly bunch of folks here.  I look forward to stopping by!

plugger

[plugger]

We have here a unique opportunity to positively affect thousands of lives.  We already know one big thing the opposition is going to come back with is there are very few complaints, therefore everything must be fine!  We can pull out stats, quote some rather distinguished people in the field, but it is going to be more difficult without enough people writing in or testifying - nothing tells the story like hearing from people who are directly affected.

A chance to do something like this without fear of reprisal doesn't come around very often, I hope you will take advantage.  Again you can contact:

Colorado State Representative John Kefalas, District 52

email: john.kefalas.house@state.co.us

State Capitol phone: (303)866-4569
home phone: 970-221-1135

Mailing address:
Rep. John Kefalas, District 52
c/o Colorado State Capitol
200 East Colfax
Denver CO 80203

[renal30yrs]

I understand some states have no standards or board for dialysis techs.

[Zach]

Most States have no laws reguarding dialysis techs.

Tech training is so important, yet State by State, a person needs more certification time to be a hairdresser (1,600 hours) than a hemodialysis technician (0 hours).  I hope you get your law passed.

[renal30yrs]

I remember 25 years ago they use to hire techs that were just fired from fastfood outlets.

[Zach]

I remember 25 years ago they use to hire techs that were just fired from fastfood outlets.

Today, it's the fastfood outlets that hire patient care techs who were just fired from the units!   

[renal30yrs]

Believe it or not I remember a guy who worked at our unit also flipping burgers at a restaurant nearby.  I think his burgers came out better.

[plugger]

Funny stuff!  ...in a sad sort of way.   Anyway I thought I would post the hearing - time and place:

Hearing Room A
Legislative Services Bldg.
200 East 14th Street
Denver Colorado, 80203

Thursday, February 1st
Sign in: 2:30 to 3pm

[plugger]

If anyone cares to contact some reps on the committee we are going in front of and tell them to vote for this bill, here is the contact info (you don't have to be a Colorado resident)

Health and Human Services Committee Members and Contact information


McGihon, Anne L., 303-866-2921 - anne.mcgihon.house@state.co.us
Chairman

Frangas, K.Jerry, 303-866-2954 - kjerry.frangas.house@state.co.us
Vice-chair

Gagliardi, Sara 303-866-2962 - sara.gagliardi.house@state.co.us

Green, Gwyn 303-866-2951 - gwyn.green.house@state.co.us

Kefalas, John, 303-866-4569 - john.kefalas.house@state.co.us
bill sponsor

Kerr, James 303-866-2939 - james.kerr.house@state.co.us

Primavera, Dianne 303-866-4667 - dianne.primavera.house@state.co.us

Riesberg, Jim 303-866-2929 - jim.riesberg.house@state.co.us

Roberts, Ellen 303-866-2914 - ellen.roberts.house@state.co.us

Stafford, Debbie 303-866-2944 - debbie.stafford.house@state.co.us

Swalm, Spencer 303-866-5510

[renal30yrs]

We need to pass a similar law in Texas as well.  Then to all 50 states

[plugger]

I hope it happens Renal30yrs!

It looks like there is internet access for those who want to follow the proceedings:

http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/cslFrontPages.nsf/Audio?OpenForm
(click on "Hearing Room A")

As for the details: HB1131 Hemodialysis Technician Training Standards hearing will start Thursday, February  1st some time after 3:00pm.  A total of 5 bills will be heard that day with HB1131 being the fifth bill of the day.  Total time of the hearing will be approximately one half hour – time may vary.  Those giving testimony will have 3 minutes to present.  Those wishing to give testimony are asked to sign in between 2:30pm to 3:00pm.

Hearing Room A
Legislative Services Bldg.
200 East 14th Street
Denver Colorado, 80203

This seems like a good time to list the organizations we have involved or are showing an interest:

ADA (Association of Dialysis Advocates)
ANNA (American Nephrology Nurses Association)
CNA (Colorado Nurses Association)
CNNT (Council of Nephrology Nurses and Technicians)
DialysisEthics/Health Care Patient Rights
Front Range Kidney Patients' Association
HCAC (Health Care for All Colorado)
NANT (National Association of Nephrology Technicians)
NRAA (National Renal Administrators Association)

We also have some local groups others are working on.

[renal30yrs]

 

[plugger]

The bill made it out of committee without a nay!

[jbeany]

 

Congrats!

[Sluff]

The bill made it out of committee without a nay!

ROCK ON!!

[plugger]

Thanks all!  This bill is still a work in progress with all the amendments the state can tack on, and it just got out of the Health and Human Services committee - it might be stuck in the appropriations committee for awhile, then to the house floor, then to a Senate committee, then to the Senate floor, then we have to hope the governor won't veto it (would be surprised if he did). Yes, a hairy process, but this was a major step.

[Sluff]

What's your next step Plugger?

[plugger]

Coaching - this is almost like a baseball game!  I understand the bill should get out of the appropriations committee and make to the floor of the house where it will be debated.  I think I've seen a good number of the excuses for not doing this sort of thing, so I'm passing it on to John K..  However I could miss something, so if anybody else comes up with what the opposition might pull and how to counter it, write Rep. John Kefalas at:

john.kefalas.house@state.co.us

[thegrammalady]

my question is why isn't this in the news.  It's certainly just as important as what has been on lately and probably more so. I live in Centennial and the first time I heard about it was your post.

[plugger]

I've watched the goings-on in this field of medicine for more than six years and still can't understand why it isn't in the news more!  I don't know if most of the media is just totally gutless or what.  I hope there will be more attention as this bill gets further along - but we will see.

[thegrammalady]

somebody needs to call/e-mail the tv stations