FYI
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
Posts: 72
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2003 4:05 am Post subject: It can be done cause they can
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This case is a clear cut violation of a persons right under the Constitution. Many patients are dumped and have to go into heart failure before dializing them in the emergency room. Most of the time they give them Kecolate (sp) have them vomit and then release them cause their K is not at a dangerous level then. Leaving the patient to vomit and diarraeha. What a way to go!<
>The patients case in Oakland, the attorney went to the Trial Attorney's Convention in the Bay Area and many lawyers are appalled, and went to meet with our attorney there. This patients crime was talking back to the staff in a rough voice or manner.The attorney stated that it was not violent. Sounds like this person should be dumped for not having "party manners".<
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>Sometimes they just dont like you. The government has had a document that told 12 patients that they cannot come back as Medicare has taken too long to pay. The clinic stated that they were only kidding, and how do I ask are the patients know it was a joke? The Federal government has had this in their possession for over 5 years, the NKF has had this document for 4 years, plus many horrible examples that they have sat on. Turning ones head and not answering ones phone calls and letters, doesnt make it go away. We have had 5 years and the government wont tell drs how to run their business on Medicare dollars,after 5 years of BS from the government, they cant tell the physicians ensure that patients have rights as citizens under this nation. This is bull as they will regulate every other business even the gas stations and hair salons. Try self policing and the government taking only the industry side,this has caused this situation to happen. This has been going on for over 30 years, and to know and do nothing is the crime. They have had the evidence for a long time, Federal Investigations that found the ESRD NETWORK from not even having accurate statistics in 2000. They still are allowed to operate as they are the industry.<
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>The government now has 3 dumped African Americans that we know of, the Senate Committee on Aging has known about many of the dumpings, CMS knows about many of the dumpings. <
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>We have to realize that the government has the ability to protect this patient. Sadly this group of "air head drs" have caused the Black Churches to help organize marches, and I will have the audience of many of the leaders this weekend. They have the documents, and they also are tired of the slaughtering of patients, and the government doing nothing. This group of doctors and Collom And Carney of Texarkana, will be the poster child of abuse for patients. they think we are kidding. I will not sit and watch this patient who is the most wonderful human being to go off to slaughter, not on my watch. They can have a chunk of me and that I feel is what this is about. They will have many on their doorsteps, and should be butchers.<
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>When good people turn their heads evil continues. Being sorry doesnt put this
ave patient in the clinic. The government has an obligation to this patient, as the doctors feel that they can do it. This is going to happen and soon...to not accept the gift of over 300 marchers and help from National Action Network, then we must jump on this now, and would be crazy not to take this opportunity to show a perfect example of no human dignity and discrimination. Verbage and hope in the government was a joke at this point. It does matter that this group of physicians have
ought this "insanity" to a full march. I will be going this weekend as I dont think that the government thinks I am serious. I have begged, pleaded, cried and they still have done nothing. What does it take for me to understand that they dont feel they have to listen. Now this next month will surely get interesting. So far they havent called the meeting off in Baltimore, we still will be going, as the patients have lost faith, but want to try one more time.<
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>Arlene<
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>Arlene
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patientwife
Joined: 18 Jul 2003
Posts: 47
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2003 6:55 am Post subject: Ethnic Minorities
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THE REAL ISSUE IS ABOUT QUALITY OF CARE FOR ALL!<
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>We are all aware of issues related to accessible and (culturally) appropriate quality healthcare services for minorities in this country. Kidney disease --data show that Native Americans, African-Americans, and Hispanics are disproportionately represented in the patient population. One would find, I dare to say, enormous shortcomings in dialysis treatment service delivery and "respect" for human/civil rights in geographical locations having a substantial minority population. Personally, I know that we minorities are not receiving the best of care in these dialysis facilities, and I am so fearful that "my" people may still be at use for "study/research" without our knowledge nor option <
>to decide our course for survival. While I do not think that the issues we face are solely those related to "race", I am one who will use the "race issue", as example, if it takes such to
ing attention to <
>the poor service provided all dialysis patients.<
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>THE ISSUE IS THE DIALYSIS INDUSTRY -- THE ISSUE IS A LACK OF GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT. Unscrupulous minorities (physicians, nurses, and technicians) have joined "others" in reeking havoc on our dialysis patients here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They have become a player in the game to advance themselves financially at any cost, even at expense of the lives of innocent and sick people.<
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>It was an African-American nephrologist who told my husband, after our discovery by happenstance that he had cardiac problems, "I thought (the Caucasian nephrologist) would tell you."<
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>It was an African-American "dialysis facility", supposedly "owned by 3 African-American physicians and unknown investors" to which my husband tranferred, at some point, and about which we thought<
>would be more knowledgeable, diligent and sensitive in addressing medical needs peculiar to African-Americans.<
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>It was an African-American dialysis facility in which all (visible) staff and patients were African-Americans, with exception of two staff (Caucasian) registered/charge nurse and social worker.<
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>It was an African-American nephrologist, affiliated with the dialysis facility, who "abandoned my husband during a serious hospitalization" (i.e., showing up one day to oversee dialysis treatment and not being heard from thereafter). It was a Caucasion nephrologist who contacted me thereafter to inform that his services had been sought to care for my husband during his hospital stay, and about whom I felt confident that quality oversight would be provided.<
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>It was an African-American accounting staff (wife of one of the African-American "owners" of the dialysis facility) who refused to provide itemized statements for expenses billed Medicare and who "took me to task" about position that billings had been inappropriate.<
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>It was an African-American (dialysis facility) Administrator who signed my husband's letter of discharge/"dumping" from the facility.<
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>It was an African-American registered nurse who made a "charge" (unsubstantiated) used to discharge my husband from the dialysis facility.<
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>They were African-American technicians, according to another African-American technician at the facility. who alledgely "had a party" upon learning that my husband had been discharged from the facility. (My curt response to this revelation was, "Did they have a party when the investigators showed up?")<
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>They were African-Americans (patients) who suffered fromt the poor services provided by the facility.<
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>We are African-Americans who lost a dialysis facility in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (The facility ceased services in Fe
uary 2003.)<
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>POINTS: It is the dialysis industry and lack of governmental oversight which have caused poor and respectable treatment service to the patients. It is the industry (money) and government which have allowed all to go on.<
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>My people are suffereing from kidney failure. All we want is quality healthcare, from knowledgeable and skillful medical professionals.<
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Bitch 2
Joined: 19 Jul 2003
Posts: 7
Posted: Mon
Jul 21, 2003 8:20 am Post subject: ptsw
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like you have been told, you are more then welcome to post here anytime. But perhaps you should ask what do patients do with the managers, Doctors and techs that cause harm to them ? After all the patients are the ones that are going to the units for medical attention that they have to have to live. If they speak out or ask a question----slam their gone, discharged at the drop of a pin. And for some of them they are given a death sentence. Freedom to speak out on issues involving their concerns, promised that there will be no retaliation, and guess again............... Granted this does not happen in every unit, but even having it happen in one is too many. :">
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leadsag
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 263
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2003 4:02 am Post subject: status
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What is the status of the dumped patients?<
>What or when will the marches/protests take place?<
>Can anyone keep us informed?
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FRN
Joined: 24 Feb 2003
Posts: 25
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2003 4:14 am Post subject: Dumped Pt.
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Information will be posted as it is available. It just takes time for everything to fall into place. We are watching this VERY closely.
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leadsag
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 263
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2003 4:35 am Post subject: waiting
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We will be waiting for further action. The concern is for the patients who have been dumped, will any changes be made befor eit is too late for yet another set of patients.
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Other attorneys
Joined: 30 Jul 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2003 6:01 am Post subject: It appears that we need to educate new set of attorneys.
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We were contacted by the attorney that didnt understand the inner workings of this field of medicine or its differences. <
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>They have been educated and supported by us and they have now filed a new
ief. It is good and it is comprehensive. These are attorneys that are a powerful group across the country. They are stunned that this has been going on and also have vowed to help us out.<
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>Will ask this attorney if I can post the
ief and the filing against DaVita. This is the patient that was dumped in California, I think you as well as we are will be outraged at his so called crime. It saddens me as we know of 3 current dumpings and when the expose hits, how many more are out there. It is sickening that this has been allowed to happen and is still allowed to happen. Our patient is Texarkana is a prime example. I was told by the ESRD Network that they have to find her a place, and guess what they havent, nor have I had a return phone call from the Network that was placed two days ago. <
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>I am back from the trip, and we have strong alliances of support from many organizations. We will be making these dumpings national, and will let you know when we are there. It will be organized by the National Action Network and pastors. I spoke and gave many pastors the document of the 'Davita dumping", it clearly shows a pattern of abuse and the punishment is not fair in my opinion.<
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>Let you be assured that we are stronger than we ever have been, I was told that I intimidate the government and the ESRD NETWORKS, how does one get ones message across when they have had 5 years to get the job done, and still "dumpings" are accuring and the governments states they cant do anything. They dont want to do anything or it would stop today. It is amazing to me that you cant be frustrated with the government, as it is our government to. The patients dumped are citizens also. They are in many cases only speaking out as they should be allowed to under our Constitution. Polite, when one is bullied to no end. Poke anyone with a stick long enough and you are suprised when a person says no more? Silly if you ask me. It is simply out of sight out of mind,,,,only dont tell us or make us accountable.<
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>This meeting in Baltimore hopefully will be productive,as this abuse could stop at a moments notice.<
>Arlene<
