PATIENT DUMPING
Joined: 19 Aug 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2003 5:03 am Post subject: TEXARKANA UPDATE
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It appears that the patient was dismissed on August 15,2003. She called on Saturday morning and was refused care, we called the 'acting" hospital administrator as did National Action Network and sent her back. She then was admitted to the hospital and released yesterday.<
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>She will be temporarily going to Maryland until we can find a place for her to dialize near her home,grandchildren and friends.<
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>It appears that Texarkana Dialysis Center Dr. Myrick and Tom Simmons felt it was best to dump her as they felt that they didnt have a relationship and would be best for all involved. Only the patient had nothing to say in this and CMS can do nothing.<
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>It also appears that some workers and Social Worker have played a role in promoting this dismissal...we will need to make all accountable for the actions of this railroad job with a human life. The patient is at a great disadvantage,and pays the ultimate price- ones life.<
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>We are still looking into a march as this is hopefully the only way to get this changed. This is life saving and unlike any other illness, you are not able to have a choice. The government has promised to work on this, but it will take time. We can get the word out to ensure that the ESRD NETWORKs and the physicians are accountable.<
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>We have another patient who was dismissed by DaVita for trying to organize patients on severe safety issues found by the State,and he was dumped.<
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>We have another patient from DaVita that is not allowed in a clinic because it appears that the nurse doesnt like him. This is going to arbitration,before we can involve any attorneys. Hopefully this insanity will stop.<
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>Arlene<
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realdialysisethics
Joined: 06 Jan 2003
Posts: 41
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2003 7:56 am Post subject: Some Good News!
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Arlene made a phone call to Fresinus to see if they had a unit close to our patient in Texarkana. They do and are willing to work with us and the patient, to get her into their unit so that she doesn't have to stay in the ER system for dialysis.<
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>We at DEO would like to give Kudos to Fresinus for being so willing to help these at risk patients. Our Texarkana patient isn't the only one that they have stepped up to the plate and found a home unit for. We also wish to acknowledge that they are the only company that has helped our patients in this way. Thank you for doing the right thing!<
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>Founding RN and the staff at DEO. <
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Reality of care
Joined: 19 Aug 2003
Posts: 2
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2003 8:05 am Post subject: dumping
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DaVitas problem with patient care at some of their facilities is the management does not want to hear the problems that is happening within their organization. They love to pat themselves on the back with their little magazines and joyous relationships with
ain-washed patients, but if someone points out a problem whether it is from a patient-survey or through a social worker then this patient is labeled as a problem. The upper management from Kent Thiry on down takes the head in the sand approach to patient complaints, but what can you expect from a person who can't keep his hands out of the money pot.
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brenda
Joined: 28 Oct 2002
Posts: 103
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2003 8:32 am Post subject: Remember myself
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that it was a Duh-Vita unit that caused all of Brent's mental anguish. The chief bully there was the one that said he would get rid of Brent one way or the other. He also managed to get rid of two great techs that spoke up on the patients behalf............ The bas.... had the nerve to show up at the funeral as if to make sure his trouble with Brent were really over. However he didn't realize that his troubles were just about to begin...long distance in fact.......... Glad to report---at last check in this ...... was no where to be found at the unit..........
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We the people
Joined: 19 Aug 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2003 9:44 am Post subject: Vocal patients
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Just because someone is viewed as a vocal patient does not give the provider the right to throw the patient into the street just because they are viewing a different opinion. I will mention that the doctor and clinic does expect to be paid with money from the government. A patient should not have to live on the edge wondering if they said something to offend the help and "do they like me?". If they do not like you then you have to travel across the state to the next available unit. Fresenius deserves a gold medal for showing it's compassion when a patient is thrown out of their unit for voicing their complaints or issue's within.
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patientwife
Joined: 18 Jul 2003
Posts: 47
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2003 10:56 am Post subject: Thanks for FMC
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Again FMC has come to the aid of a "dumped" patient. They did likewise for my husband in October 2001 when he was "dumped" from a facility.<
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>One thing my husband and I can say re experiences at 3 FMC facilities, they have NEVER led us to fear dismissal because we are so vocal (and expressive in writing, too). This has freed up our minds to concentrate on those matters needing attention.<
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>Thanks for FMC!
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looking at this
Joined: 19 Aug 2003
Posts: 3
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2003 5:38 pm Post subject: FMC
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I'm glad to hear that FMC is working with DEO, because I've heard many bad reports on FMC units in the past.
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patientwife
Joined: 18 Jul 2003
Posts: 47
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2003 5:06 am Post subject: ESRD Network 14 (Texas)
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The following is taken from the Network's 2002 Annual Report.<
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>"INVOLUNTARY PATIENT DISMISSAL INITIATIVE<
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>In 1999-2000 the Network recognized a rising trend in the number of hemodialysis patients involuntarily dismissed from Texas dialysis facilities. The Network became aware of these dismissals as a result of increasing numbers of patients contacting the Network office to request assistance in locating a new facility as a result of a dismissal that may not have included assistance to locate a new facility. Interviews with the patients identified many reasons for dismissals that ranged from non-compliance with treatment plan to physically attacking a staff member. In many cases these patients had to rely on hospital emergency rooms for their dialysis needs until another facility was located that would accept them as a chronic patient. The Network reviewed the staff concerns with the MRB and the Network Patient Advisory Committee (PAC) and solicited their opinions and advice on a plan of action to better understand this issue and develop potential solutions.<
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>"The MRB and PAC recommended that the Network collect information the the number of patients, reasons for dismissal and information on assistance provided to dismissed patients, if any. During 2001, the Network developed and piloted a data collection system that was incorporated into the Network Monthly Patient Activity Report (PAR) for 2002 that tracks patient events. Facilities provided information regarding reasons for dismissal and facility placement for all patients involuntarily dismissed. The data showed that nearly half the dismissals were due to verbal or physical threats; however, the other half were dismissed
as a result of non-compliance (Chart . In addition, it was learned that a number of patients dismissed for non-compliance died from a lack of dialysis. This effort led to a partnership with NW #11 and CMS on a national survey to be performed in 2003.<
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>(Chart 8 Top Causes of Involuntary Dismissal by Percent of Totl Dismissals in NW 14)<
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>"Efforts in this area have heightened awareness of the issue with all providers, corporate administrators and the MRB. Facilities that reported more than two patients involuntarily dismissed in a month and facilities that dismissed more than three patients in 2002 were contacted by the Director of Patient Services to review the cases and to offer both suggestions for prevention and educational assistance for staff and patients. The Patient Services Director assists involuntarily dismissed patients with advice regarding finding a new provider, altering offending behaviors that resulted in the dismissal to prevent future dismissal and facilitates use of a behavior contract as a probationary acceptance tool with new providers."<
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>See Chart of page 38 of the Annual Report.<
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>Questions, Arlene:<
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>Do you know about the national survey being conducted by NW#11/CMS?<
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>Should not every involuntary dismissal (dumping) be investigated by the Network? Is not EVERY life valued?<
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>Why is it always the patient who has to "alter offending behavior"; what about facilities? When when they be required to alter substandard medical care and relationship with patients?<
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JUSTIFICATION
Joined: 20 Aug 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2003 5:37 am Post subject: PATIENTS NOT COUNTING
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Why does patient alter behavior always is the patients fault.<
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>It really makes my blood boil to have a patient that is dumped and the government is allowing this to continue.<
>Our Senate Hearings were in 2000. This ALL was
ought to the governments attention in 1998 when I quit and started asking for improvements. We had three Federal Investigations and the Network was found not doing their job....Isnt it strange that the NETWORK started in 1999...they started nothing. These dumpings have been going on for 30 plus years.<
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>It has taken how many years, they are claiming since 99, then why are they still being dumped. As usual, no figures on the human fatalities. This is too long to play with ones life. I am personally sick and tired of excuses and word games when patients are dying.<
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>Come on and get a non industry enitity in that is neutral and does their job....!<
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>When is enough enough? They dont even know how many are dying. YOu better patients and family get busy and email Rev. Sharptons group and us. This can stop tomorrow. How many studies does one need to identify a problem. This can stop tomorrow if the government decided to take an active role and stop the holocaust.<
>Arlene
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patientwife
Joined: 18 Jul 2003
Posts: 47
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2003 6:16 am Post subject: FMC
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There are definitely problems, such as all of those posted on this board and others, at FMC units that need correction. We must, nevertheless, be thankful that FMC accepts "dumped/dismissed/problem" patients. While some may think that FMC does so for dollars, I like to think that they recognize the alternative and possible results. At least, FMC's acceptances allow patients have another chance at life. Let's work on the "bad" at FMC units, but let's also give credit where credit is due.
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