| Author | Subject: Renal Microsoft---Fresenius |
| Connie McDonald | Posted At 15:18:24 05/14/2002 We Americans think we have the ¿ rightî to make a choice, but do we really? When I was diagnosed ESRD, I had to sign a contract with the local kidney center before I could get medical treatment. My life belongs to them from then on. We all know the routine tests/procedures most of which are not based on our health but ¿so the insurance will pay for itî. Then when the center was sold we became part of the new company°s property. We were told to use their products even though it caused me to get sick and damaged my membrane system. Now I have to use a cycler machine, and the kidney center tells me ¿it°s against company policy to use the machine other than theirsî. To me for health product suppliers to own Kidney centers is not in the best interest of the patients. How could the government allow that to happen? |
| Beth Witten | Re: Renal Microsoft---Fresenius (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 16:54:10 05/15/2002 It sounds like you've talked with the facility administration about your concerns, but if you haven't, that's probably the first place to start. One of the nice things about large corporations is that they have several people that patients can communicate with. However, it is always advisable to follow the chain of command in doing this and to state your position as firmly yet politely as possible, giving reasons (medical and other) why you want to do (or have) something something different from what has been recommended. If the company can't help you, perhaps your ESRD Network can. You can find your Network's contact information at www.esrdnetworks.org. If you're not limited by your health insurance (Medicare will pay anywhere in the U.S.) or transportation, you always have the choice to change dialysis providers. As a home dialysis patient, you may be able to travel farther because you don't need to go to the clinic as often. However, if you change dialysis providers, you may have to change doctors unless your nephrologist can follow patients at other clinics in your area that offer home dialysis. Patients always have the right to refuse any treatment. However, a clinic may suggest that you seek treatment elsewhere if it feel that it is no longer be able to meet your medical needs. |
| RIZWAN YOUSAF | Re: Renal Microsoft---Fresenius (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 05:35:09 12/15/2002 HELLO HOW ARE YOU? I AM A PATIENT OF ESRD MY KIDNEY IS FAILED I AM A PATIENT AND HAEODIALYSIS TECHNICIAN PLEASE SEND ME A WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM AND NUTRITION FOOD DIALYSIS PATIENT PLEASE SEND ME A MAIL AND I WANT A DIPLOMA OF DIALYSIS TECHNICIAN DIPLOMA OK FROM RIZWAN |
| Beth Witten | Re: Renal Microsoft---Fresenius (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 22:37:26 12/15/2002 You don't say where you are located. In the United States, there are a some vocational schools that offer training toward certification as a dialysis technician. First, you might want to read this fact sheet prepared by the National Kidney Foundation on the job of dialysis technologist: www.kidney.org/professionals/CNNT/techcnnt.cfm I did an Internet search and found: * Milwaukee Area Technical College (WI) http://oncampus.matc.edu/catalog/allied_health/renaltech.htm * Waukesha County (WI) Technical College www.wctc.edu/home/degpro/service/renal.htm * In Ohio www5.state.oh.us/nur/ * Kentucky www.kbn.state.ky.us/dialysis.htm * New Jersey & Pennsylvania www.startechinstitute.com/med.asp To locate other training programs, you might want to learn what states require certification for dialysis technicians and ask the nursing board in those states where training is offered. Dialysis facilities in the U.S. often offer training for people wanting to become dialysis technicians. You'd asked about obtaining a water purification system. You will need to contact one of the manufacturers of water purification systems to obtain one. Nutritional supplements for people with kidney disease are available through most pharmacies and some are even available in grocery stores. Contact the manufacturer to find out where their products are sold. If you have limited income, some states have state kidney programs that provide , National Kidney Foundation affiliates (see www.kidney.org), and American Kidney Fund (www.akfinc.org) may be able to help. |