Tech issue

[YLGuy]

Where do I start? There is a tech at my center I am having major problems with.  She is very loud and obnoxious.  A couple of weeks ago I was asleep during my treatment.  I woke up to her yelling across the room to another tech about something personal.  I asked her if she had a parent, spouse or child sitting in the chair sleeping would she stand next to them and yell across the room.  She said that she understood what I was asking and would take it into consideration.  I said that the question I asked was a yes or no question.  I then asked again if she had a loved one in the chair asleep would she do what she did.  Again she refused to answer the question and just walked away. She was pretty good for just over a week.  Then she did it again.  I just let it go and finally fell back asleep.  I awoke to her having another personal conversation with a tech across the room and I called her name and said that she must be kidding.  She turned to me and said, "I am not going to give you the time of day." Now that REALLY pissed me off as she is responsible for monitoring me during dialysis and her telling me that she was going to ignore me was a death threat. As soon as she said that she immediately turned and started to break down a machine.  I yelled at her that I was talking to her and she ignored me completely.  I then said that I was tired of being treated like $hit.  She left the machine and went into the FA's office.   Later, the secretary said the FA wanted to talk to me after my treatment. I said good, I wanted to talk to her.  The FA asked me what happened and I told her.  Apparently the tech left out the part about her telling me that she was going to completely ignore me.  The FA seemed very concerned that I swore.  I apologized for saying the word $hit.  She said that she needed to talk with the tech again.  It was a Friday so I went home.  Monday morning I went in a little early. The FA proceeded to tell me that the tech denied saying that to me so it was just her word against mine.  I told the FA that I was sure that other patients heard her. I told the FA that I feared for my life because the tech would be responsible for me during lunches and I was afraid that if my alarm went off that the tech would ignore it.  I got my treatment and talked to the FA afterwards.  She said that she spoke with the tech and the tech assured the FA that I would receive good care. 
Well, the tech has not only ignored my alarms but all of them in my quadrant.  A very nice man who sits in my section did not understand why his treatments were running 10-15 minutes over.  The nurse explained to him that his alarm must have gone off.  Today, as his alarm was going off I watched the tech walk right by it ignoring it.  I had enough.  I waited outside for him and asked him if he heard the tech tell me that she would not give me the time of day.  He said absolutely.  I then went back in to speak to the FA.  I asked her if she was going to follow up on the situation.  I then told her that another patient heard the threat.  I asked what was she going to do about an employee who threatened patients and then lies to her boss about what happened.  I questioned whether what the tech did could be considered criminal. The FA said that since I swore probably not. I said that I said the word shit after she threaten3ed me.  I said that the tech should not be on the floor taking care of patients.  She said that she was short staffed right now (truth) and that she could not take the tech off the floor.  I asked if we were going to address this on Monday.
I called my neph's office and asked what other centers he went to. Unfortunately they are all Davita centers.  I LOVE my neph but do not feel safe at my center.

[dialysisadvocate]

I am so sorry for what is happening but typical in many units...
Oh, how I can relate to techs yelling across the floor -- without any respect for sleeping patients -- another aspect of lack of education/training - (unless it is an emergency, yelling for help)  I find this just one form of acting out behavior by staff as a result, again of lack of appropriate training and education. All she had to do was to say, 'I understand and would not want someone to yell while I was sleeping".. Her response shows the lack of respect for patients. What the heck kind of comment is that she will take it into consideration ? And, to walk away --- gross lack of respect (this can be cited by the state for respect/dignity for patients).
To further state to you that she would not give you the time of day is UNCALLED FOR and a reportable event.

This is so typical -- instead of retraining and speaking with staff that patient is always wrong.. my father yelled to a tech 'get away from me you tried to kill me' .. it was never investigated as to why my father stated that -- my father was wrong and the tech continues to work....

This is retaliation -- and typical for staff to cover for each other and not address such -- criminal if something happens to you and the tech was aware and did not respond. You should start keeping detailed notes of everything ---- time of day, who said what, what time, who heard, etc etc. even down to what staff were wearing. You can also call an 800 number where an advocate can help you with this situation 1-800=874-8842 This is the coalition for dialysis patients who are having problems in their units -- NOT, repeat NOT connected to the dialysis industry in any way shape or form... I would suggest you call---
You can also file a complaint with your state NOT the ESRD Network as they are too tight and close to facilities.

I just shutter when I hear a FA state that nothing can be done because you said a curse word - shit ll gvie me a break.. the staff are protected... If you can get the other patient to speak up, the state can come in and you file a complinat,, otherwise, call that 800 number I posted.

You can certain state that I referred you to call

opinions of Roberta Mikles BA RN
www.qualitysafepatientcare.com

[JustDee]

This is so depressing, and makes my blood boil.  With todays economy and so many people out of work it seems to me the Medical Field should be able to pick and choose Top Rate workers and yet they continue to let less then efficient and downright nasty employees continue to demean and ignore their patients.  This isn't a one time thing, reading posts here and on Davita and you see these complaints over and over again.  I realize we are "lucky" to have dialysis to save our lives but I'm not sure having to grovel and smile thru the pain is essential to getting the help we need.  I am not on dialysis yet, and I try to stay positive and upbeat as much as possible but when the Medical Community fails to show compassion and some understanding it just pisses me off (I know I know, better to be pissed off then pissed on) and I just don't like it one teeny tiny bit.  There are good medical employees out there, some are even fantastic, but the bad ones make it hard on Everyone.  I hope this is resolved to your satisfaction YLGuy but in my heart of hearts I'm not optimistic....too many people just don't give a good gosh darn about our situation.

[dialysisadvocate]

THis is so typical of the type of retaliation that is in many units -- you ask a tech something, question something, make a comment they don't like and this is what happens.

It amazes me that these workers can have any kind of restful sleep at night--- the way patients are treated ---Again, I would contact the state and/or the 800 number I provided... do not call the ESRD Network as they have no real power e.g. the state can at least write a document that says what was wrong -

You can also file a complaint against the individual technician. Now that techs are mandatorily certified, federal, you can file this --if you want you can email me personally and I can help you -- or refer you.... especially if you are in California, but we still can help -- call the 800 number

As I mentioned in another post --- the state goes in and there is possibility that the tech can lose their certification and even if the state can't find fault it sends a message that you cant treat patients like shit. - opps there that bad, bad word

opinions of Roberta Mikles  www.qualitysafepatientcare.com

[Jean]

Marc, that is sooo outrageous. Who do these techs think they are anyways. I am sorry this had to happen to you. I would follow the advice you have been given ( and I know you will ) and let that stupid tech have it.

[dialysisadvocate]

I want to stress the importance of documenting everything that happens.. Remember, the staff document in your medical record in order to cover their butts. I call this defensive documentation. Having read hundreds of medical records, I can tell you it happens and happened to my father, as well. CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) the federal-level oversight agency had a conference a while back that was about retaliation -- they called it 'bullying'.. well, CMS has done NOTHING and as far as I am concerned they are a useless agency and shame on them for allowing what has happened in the industry to happen.

You make sure you document who you talked to about the problem. What this person stated, what time and day it was -- even to the most detailed of what they were wearing, and where the conversation took place. Always try and have someone with you when you present concerns and receive answers. You are allowed to have an advocate wtih you, anyone you want.

Some of these staff become so powerful when they start working in this field. I just don't get it --But, yet I do, it is all in the manner of which they are trained. I often wonder if stockholders realize that the care in many of these units is so horrific --

opinions of Roberta Mikles, RN BA Dialysis Patient Safety Advocate www.qualitysafepatientcare.com

[YLGuy]

Thank you.  I am documenting.  Atached is a picture of my arm.  The tech in question did this to me.  She had the needle in her hand and was talking to someone else and she cut my arm with the sharp.  That was the last time I let her cannulate me. It was last November.

[dialysisadvocate]

YL Guy, I am so sorry -- this is terrible and I hope that the facility administrator did something e.g. retrain this tech or reprimand her,, however, from what you have said, I doubt such happened.
opinon of Roberta Mikles www.qualitysafepatientcare.com






EDITED: Please do not put your link in anymore posts. Once is enough. Sluff/Admin

[Jean]

Oh My God Marc!!! That is barbaric!!!

[Brightsky69]

Horrible!! I would get her a$$ fired.
I had a nasty PD nurse...I ended up with a tunnel infection (amoung other things)  because she was so dirty. Long story short....after I raised a big stink with the clinic and my doctor....the nurse "quit"     My guess is she got fired.     

[dialysisadvocate]

Sluff/Admin - please accept my apologies,, with all the documents, etc that I write and am involved in,  I am  used to putting the website addy after my name -- guess it is just a habit --roberta

YL Guy, I am so sorry -- this is terrible and I hope that the facility administrator did something e.g. retrain this tech or reprimand her,, however, from what you have said, I doubt such happened.
opinon of Roberta Mikles www.qualitysafepatientcare.com

EDITED: Please do not put your link in anymore posts. Once is enough. Sluff/Admin