Scared of my dialysis center

I am beside myself. Been doing dialysis for almost two years. I do real good with it. But where i go is horrid. The techs are brutal mean. I have bruises in my legs where they rammed me with chairs and I have been bruised for months. I reported it to higher ips and was just ignored Ive been left fifty minutes with needles hanging hooked in my arms they left me not hooked to machine and didn't come back. Ive reported all of the abuse and no one does anything good techs come but soon leave. Ive had to take valume just to go in there. Im left in chair sometimes five or six hours for a four hour treatment. I am just so upset i dont know where to turn. Any ideas???

[Hidden]

Have you considered home hemodialysis? You can find a different center to offer you the training. Remember to continue to document all of the issues you have with this center and use names, dates and specific issues as you build your case. Do you have a local support system in place that can help you get to a new center for the training to be your own care-provider?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Oh thank u for replying i feel so very alone. It us a monopoly in this state. The only ones who offer fiaysis. I gave no chouces there. I dont have anyine to help me at home. I would live that but no ine u know can do it. There may be supportive groups but i dint jniw how to find them. If i say anything to the center they retaluate even more. Leave me wsit 40 munutes linger to getbon. And gid only knows when ill be taken off. I try to sit and say nothing. Ince i tried to talk to manager and wss told to shut up. They r so scary

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Im sorry for typos. Im texting with ine hand today. They bruised me so bad today i cant use my one arm. Ill slow down. I got so excited to hear from you i di have documentation but for who. Noone seems to care. Im not the only one other patients are mistreated too. But they nwver say anything. They said they use to but not any more cos nothing ever gets better. The treatment usnt bad. I feel so good after i go. If only the workers were a little kinder. I dint know if there is a state agency or a board that would look into things. Then i would truly fear for my Life

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Don't apologize for the typos. I'm a retired teacher. I can read almost anything put on a board or paper. There are state and local agencies that can and should help you as well as keep the complaint you file anonymous. Take whatever documentation you have, (photos of the bruising from now on will also help your case). If you don't have someone at home to help you, do you have family in another town or state? They may be able to assist you. Contact the public defender in your county and see if they can help you find an attorney to assist you in preparing the complaint. They have to keep that confidential for the time being.

Come back and share any time you have the need.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I know i really need to fo something. I have puctures of bruises even repirted it to managers ni one ever even spoke to me about it. They reallt are very nasty and nean. Im not sure how they got a state wide monopoly but they are it. There or no where. Im si afraid if them. Ive tried ti soeak up but then they mistreat you even mire. Thats how i got bruised. Made one mad at me for speaking up lol my best friend us a retired third grade teacher. I just try to text too fast. She tells me sane thing. She can read anythung. I think i will try to call annonimouslly somewhere. I feel bad for the goljs whi are too sick and ild and cant. Ive seen someone adk fir a dip if water while hooked up and was told im nit a slave get it yourself. Geeze

[LadyLuv in reply to Hidden]

Report the problems that you have. Don't let the techs get away with the cruelty. I'm sorry you going through this. It shouldn't be that hard. Have you ever though about doing at home, either the cycler or Peritoneal, which I do. It is more relaxing....

[75blkwhiteface in reply to Hidden]

Discuss this with your doctor and also call the Dept of Health about your clinic I would absolutely change clinics. look in your phone book for other clinics

[pholifield]

you can contact the ombudsman for your state. You can also report it to medicare. They will investigate. They could loose funding from medicare if they are not ship shape. I am sorry I am assuming you have medicare. If you do not call your commercial insurance and see where else you can go or get help some other way.

Believe me if Medicare gets involved they will they will investigate. Do not feel you have no choice. You can also call the licensing agency in your state or look them up on line. EVERYONE has the right to have good care. Here is the number taken directly from the Medicare website to report; Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and ask for the ESRD Network

Organization in your state.

TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

Here is the link medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11314.... I am sure you will find it interesting, I am hoping it is helpful.

[cgnj in reply to pholifield]

So sorry to hear such horrible treatment is being conducted!!!!!

As mentioned, please contact Medicare and

State Survey Agencies

Michigan 1-800-882-6006,

Minnesota 1-800-369-7994,

North Dakota 1-701-328-2352,

South Dakota 1-800-738-2301,

Wisconsin 1-800-642-6552.

These are several different locations for the ESRD Network offices. I was not sure which state you reside in, so if you are in a different state, again use the MEDICARE number 1-800-633-4227.

The ESRD Networks want to know about situations such as yours!! You are not alone!!

You should not be treated in such a way that you are AFRAID at your treatment center!!! The center receives $80,000.00 annually to treat you. All staff are included in that cost!!! Poor staff behaviors, skills, treatment plans and support is to be reported as a grievance. When contacting the ESRD Network 1-800-973-37713 your request for assistance is

Confidential Consultation

Immediate Advocacy

Quality of Care Review

Referral Process

Please send pictures and your documentation to the network so they can know they are paying the staff to mistreat their patients!!

God Bless for doing the Right Thing!!

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Firstly what state are you in? Secondly you may file a report or complaint anonymously with your ESRD Network (I can give you the information once you tell me which state you're in). Once you file this claim/report it will be investigated thoroughly and it is illegal for the center or any of its employees to retaliate against you in any way. If they are causing you injuries it needs to be documented. Take photos of your bruises, take notes of exactly how long you wait with needles still in arm and what days, times etc. Documenting all of this helps *a lot*. FDA has just approved solo treatments with NxStage at home. You won't need to have a partner if you don't want one. Many of my friends do their treatments at home alone. The clinic will train you until you feel comfortable going home. So, what state are you in? Blessings

[Hidden]

Oh thank u so much. Home treatment would b so awesome ant unfo on that would b awesome. I would love any agency info too. Im in Delaware. I do have pictures and since my legs r so bad and swelled believe it or not they r still bruised since july. Frim one side to the other Terrible. And my finger has a hole in it over a month healing. Because they wouldnt let me in to treatment and made me knock over fourty minutes. Crazy but i didnt know if they knew i was there and it was fourty munutes and they never acknowledge im there so i knocked and knocked until my fingers were bleeding. They said they heard me geeze. I don't heal good so one knuckle has a huge hole. They r just mean. Some r nice but mostly not. Thank u so much!!!

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Firstly talk with someone at your ESRD Network. They are supposed to be there and advocate for the patient. They have a toll free number for patients. Here is the information for that.

Network 4

(Delaware, Pennsylvania)

Quality Insights Renal Network 4

630 Freedom Business Center, Suite 116

King of Prussia, PA 19406

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Toll Free for Patients: 800/548-9205

email: [e-mail]

As for home dialysis try going to kidneyschool.org for little 20 min educational snippets to help you learn about dialysis and home dialysis. Also check out Home Dialysis Central. They have wonderful information that may be useful for you. Here are the links.

kidneyschool.org/

homedialysis.org/

Also with a quick search for dialysis clinics in Delaware I found at least four different companies offering dialysis just in one city, so you do have options. There are DaVita, Fresenius and several independent clinics. Check out a search for your city at:

dialysisfinder.com/dialysis...

from there you can easily choose a city within the state of Delaware. I hope this helps. If you are on Facebook there are more than a hundred support groups there. Try Home Dialysis Central, Kidney BEANS Count, Home Dialyzors United, Kidney Support and Dialysis Discussion among many more. Hope to see you there. Blessings

[Hidden in reply to KidneyCoach]

Very helpful. I will check it all out. You have been very helpful. Please be well and hope to talk again. THANKS

[mhawk123]

Go to another health system. Another office that will be able to give you quality care

[CarolynSW]

Have you contacted your area Network? If you have Medicaid you can complain to AHCA. If you are aged or disabled, adult protective services.

[Kari19821115]

I’d report that because that’s not right what they are doing or switch to another center.