Have been hearing a number of complaints about workers in dialysis, harassing and assaulting dialysis patients. It is assault under the law to touch someone when they have asked you not to touch them. http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2903.13 I have heard complaints of dialysis patients having their feet stepped on by dialysis personnel during a treatment, blood being thrown on the dialysis patient or dialysis patient's being hit with a salt water bag. In addition, I have heard complaints about patients asking that certain dialysis personnel not perform fistula sticks on them, after that dialysis worker hurt them the first time of the sticking. Again, if the patient asks you not touch them and that worker ignores the patient, that is grounds for an assault charge.
I have also heard of complaints where patients are being discharged and they have no clue that is coming..... I have also heard of "meetings" where the Kidney specialist, FA, Nurse, and Social Worker are in a room and stacked against the patient, who is ambushed and is unable to defend themselves. Please be advised, if the charges are false, the patient can hire an attorney and file a lawsuit for libel and slander. If the patient dies because of these actions, there is a possible wrongful death suit pursued by the patient's estate, in addition to a libel and slander.....
I really like the vast majority of you and I think you really care about the patients. However, as we all know, there are bad apples in any field, police included. I have advised patients who are assaulted by dialysis staff, to call 9-11 and press assault charges. I have also advised dialysis patients who are assaulted to contact their local district attorneys or victim's advocates.
I have also been told of cases where dialysis patients have been unfairly discharged, and given an option of a dialysis clinic 50-60 miles away from their home. Yes, I know this type of harassment goes on, it happens in government, all of the time. I was also told of a case where a man in a wheelchair with no legs, was discharged from a dialysis under police escort. As a former police officer, it is outrageous. Honestly, what do you think a man with no legs in a wheelchair is going to do to you???
Having worked as a police officer, I know and understand that there are two sides to every pancake and I have been cussed at, called every name in the book, ****** on, you name it, I have experienced it, before you say, "You do not know what it is like."
I have also heard of patients been discharged for disagreeing with reuse and for asking questions about their treatments. I also know that in those "meetings" the patient is not allowed to see the comments and charges against them, sounds like the old Soviet Union or Nazi Germany. Yes, if you are curious, my family is from Germany.
Yes, I know, many times management blames Nursing and it always is it so..... In fact, it happened to my mom. I know that many of you are good people :) However, my word to the wise to the bad apples, is that you are going to have some very unpleasant results if you abuse or assault dialysis patients. If you go to jail for this crime, I hate to tell you that the other inmates at the jail hit back. If you are curious, a misdemeanor of the first degree or M1 is six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
