patientwife
Joined: 18 Jul 2003
Posts: 47
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2003 5:27 am Post subject: MORE DUMPINGS?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This has to stop! While the patient is foremost affected by the insensitive, unscrupulous and unimpassioned behavior of (few, I hope) physicians, there are others affected by these dumpings. "Dumped patients" have spouses, children and friends who, too, are stressed out about misconduct towards their loved ones. And, don't fail to imagine the impact on other patients and caring, decent dialysis staff who witness such "abuse of power".<
><
>We need to re-strategize our efforts to address "dumpings" of sick human beings from facilities and by physicians funded with taxpayers dollars. What good does it do patients that we repeatedly call, talk with, e-mail, say the same thing to the same players in the scenario when it is evident that our pleas have fallen on deaf ears?<
><
>Physicians/dialysis facilities may have certain "rights" as professionals and businesses. The big question is: Do they have the right to provide substandard care, deny patients "due process" and dismiss patients on a whim while at the same time funding their practices and businesses with taxpayer dollars? Patients and their loved ones pay, and have paid, taxes too!<
><
>We need a new audience! We need a new tactic! Count me in!
**************************************************************************************
ptsw
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Posts: 24
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2003 5:37 am Post subject: agreed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The patient is first and foremost. A patient should not be dumped for trival things. A patient cannot be discharged from a unit "technicially" unless they threaten someone with harm, commit harm, or are a harm to themselves, or they aren't paying for their treatments. Any other reason is not right!
**************************************************************************************
FYI
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
Posts: 72
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2003 6:03 am Post subject: Look up the ESRD of Texas it states it all
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It doesnt have to be any threatening..the doctors can do as they please. Feel free to call CMS, they will tell you that there needs to be no cause.
**************************************************************************************
The Bitch is Back
Joined: 18 Jul 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2003 1:28 pm Post subject: CMS / Networks, Accessories to Murder?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is how I see it. CMS is a federal department of our government who guarantees and pays out federal dollars, otherwise known as Medicare (our tax money) for dialysis treatments for each American Citizen who suffers from renal failure. <
><
>The U.S. Constitution clearly states that each and every AMERICAN HAS THE GUARENTEED RIGHT TO LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS! It also guarantees our right to FREEDOM OF SPEECH!<
><
>The patients in "Tex *badword*" were dumped from their units for the following crimes: <
>1). Asking questions concerning their dialysis treatments in an effort to educate themselves.<
>2). Voiced their concerns about conditions and their treatment in the unit.<
>3). Wore sunglasses in the unit to protect their eyes from the glare of the very
ight and hot overhead lights.<
>4). They were African American. <
><
>From what I can tell, our Constitution clearly covers the above rights! <
><
>So the physicians and clinic decide to dump these patients due to the above "crimes". In doing so they have labeled these patients "troublemakers" which will follow them as long as they need dialysis IF THEY ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH to find another Dr. and clinic that will take them, WHICH IS THE EXCEPTION, NOT THE RULE!<
><
> One patient in the "Tex *badword* rkana" unit already paid the ultimate price earlier this year, now they have sentence another one to death with more to follow! <
> This is a clear violation of their civil and human rights, which are guaranteed by our American Constitution!<
><
>If these patients die because of the dumping, than the physicians and clinic are nothing short of murderers! The Networks and CMS, with full knowledge of the dumpings and their refusal to intercede or protect the guaranteed Constitutional Civil and Human right of these patients, are in effect ASSESSORIEES TO MURDER! <
><
>What is wrong with this picture? A department of our Federal Government is unable/ unwilling to protect the Constitutional rights of American Citizens at risk while paying out federal money, (our tax dollars) to the very people who have condemned these patients to death! Talk about throwing money away!<
><
><
> I bet there is a lawyer out there who would love to get a bite of this one. I know that I would love to be a fly on the wall in the conference rooms to hear how this plays out! <
><
>It is time to take the gloves off, no more talking! Let the blows fall where they may! :"> <
>
**************************************************************************************
Observer
Joined: 24 Feb 2003
Posts: 7
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2003 5:52 pm Post subject: It really is sad.....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is really sad knowing that all this could have been so easily avoided if these clinics, staff and Dr's had just honored the basic human rights that as stated above, our Constitution guarantees. <
><
>The Dr's are violating their Hippocratic oath, "to do no harm". If these clinics/ Dr's had been doing their job the right way in the first place, properly educating the staff and patients and treating each other with respect, none of this would have happened. It is just so sad.........
**************************************************************************************
brenda
Joined: 28 Oct 2002
Posts: 103
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2003 3:20 am Post subject: please explain
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
yourself ptsw and your standing on this situation. These patients are nothing but a $ sign to the medical profession. SOME Doctors-Unit Managers-Social Workers can do -will do- what they damn will please, and unfortunatley it is not only in Texas. This situation is the one that happens to be causing the most distress right now. Because the patients there are SPEAKING out for their rights as citizens in the US. Yet they are being dropped like flies when they question the almighty industry and their treatments. Literally they are being swatted with the flyswatter then buried. :"> <
>Put one of these so called professional "......" in the chair for one month and I guaruntee they will be speaking out the other side of their mouthes wanting decent and proper care.
**************************************************************************************
patient
Joined: 29 Oct 2002
Posts: 137
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2003 4:34 am Post subject: my doctor treats us like cattle
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I guess what goes around comes around, because he has rectal cancer now. What you so you reap.
**************************************************************************************
melody
Joined: 19 Jul 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2003 4:21 pm Post subject: meanest nurse
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have a nurse that is so noncompassionate. She is totally heartless when the patients and I have told her we are cold or we need some water to drink. She wound up needing major surgery. I heard her telling one of her pet patients about how she was choosing a small hospital where she knew she would get excellant service as she would turn into a major witch if she was mistreated! I thought I must dreaming when I heard her remarks. Here this woman mistreats every
patient, yet she says she would become furious if the nurses mistreated her during her hospital stay. Some people are really blind to their cruelty. I wonder how they get that way????????
**************************************************************************************
ptsw
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Posts: 24
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2003 2:14 am Post subject: sad
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I do feel this and have observed countless discharges so I am not heartless in this. I find it the worst when there are no reasons except not wanting to deal with "attitudes" of others. I can only hope that someone will figure out a way to prevent discharges from happening and find a way to treat those patients with underlying mental health disorders with help, support, and treatment.
**************************************************************************************
leadsag
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 263
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2003 3:06 am Post subject: racial?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Am I reading the posts correctly, that the person is being discharged because of the person's race? Well, that clearly is a violation and should be turned in right now. No threating to turn them in, turn them in NOW.<
><
>If they are in violation, which they clearly would be if this is the reason the patient is being dumped, they would not be able to receive federal funding(no Medicare money).
**************************************************************************************
Opinio
Joined: 21 Jul 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2003 4:10 am Post subject: I feel it is about race and power of the corp.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This I feel is racial, and how dare a black patient question. I do feel in my heart that this group is racist's and have not once honored the patient who died, or this patients right to advocacy. This group will need to be accountable.<
><
>The government is well aware, and the black dumpings seem to be on a rise. The government needs to put this patient back in the clinic and protect her. She claims she is getting hang up phone calls. This is the most arrogant indivduals that I have dealt with. They have been turned in.<
><
>Arlene
**************************************************************************************
brenda
Joined: 28 Oct 2002
Posts: 103
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2003 8:22 am Post subject: perhaps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ptsw while they try to find a way as you say to help the patiets with "underlying conditions" , they should do the same for the mental status of the staff............
**************************************************************************************
ptsw
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Posts: 24
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2003 1:34 pm Post subject: I agree
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll tell ya, I totally agree, some of the staff were never cut out to be in the "helping" profession.
**************************************************************************************
FYI
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
Posts: 72
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2003 4:05 am Post subject: We will be going in
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We will not announce the date, but we are going in. We have tried to have CMS and Collom &Carney Association of Texarkana take the high ground. It appears that is not going to happen.<
><
>Our patient called last night and she is receiving a lot of hang up phone calls, so that has been turned into the phone company. She is being intimidated and we need to go in soon. <
><
>It appears that they feel that we will just do retoric, but I fear for this patients life and the harassment that is happening to her now. As stated before this weekend, we will be in contact with many organizations and will do a conference call to get this to all the dialysis units that we can. I asked that someone put the flyer on the board. We have a firm committment and more churches are joining the cause. It needs to be done. <
><
>It will be a busy month, we will be at a meeting with CMS in August, then I will fly somewhere else to finish the expose' after Baltimore. The train is on the tracks and we have exhasted all avenues of any fair treatment for this patient. As our attorneys stated, we have tried everything to ensure this patients safety,and to give CMS and this physician and clinic every opportunity to do what is right.<
><
>She will be given an attorney and I guess this group will only realize a power that is higher than them. This sadly is a strong case, and we will continue on. Thanks for all those that want to go into Texas with us. If some of you have frequent flyer miles, that would help some people able to attend. It is the only way to ensure our patient and others that are and have been dumped. This group should be aware that they have called the action,as they continue to bury their heads in the sand. <
><
>Arlene
