Do your RN's work as techs?

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2012

Thank you for your replies, the reason I ask is because I as the manager will help out as I can I will rinse back pts, strip down the machines and clean the machines between dialysis pts.

If I am there at night I will bleach and disinfect the machines, I don't put pts on ( I can do it) but I do not feel I am the best person for the job, as I do not get a lot of practice.

I think the techs work so hard that if I can help I will-I was just wondering if it was an expectation of your company or if it is something which doesn't happen

Guttercat, ASN, RN · Feb 23, 2012

Just wondering do your RN's take a pod of patients and work as a tech?
Does your Manager ever take a pod of patients?[/quote I am required to take a pod when a tech is off. Our techs work hard, are very competent and receive no appreciation for what they do. I certainly do not mind taking a pod so they can have a well deserved day off. However, I do not feel it is safe for the only RN to take a pod and perform all nursing duties. I have found patients unresponsive and everyone was too busy to notice. Patients have left the unit without post assessment because they don't want to wait for me to finish the task I'm involved with. The patients in my pod receive minimal care. Patients have had to suffer the embarrasment of being incontinent because staff was not available quick enough to assist them to the bathroom. I am sure if anything bad happens , it will be my fault.
Maybe someday those responsible for this level of staffing will find themselves sitting in a dialysis chair with soiled pants.
This post embodies why I cannot fathom working for a Big Two dialysis chain.
Some of those new(er) to the profession know nothing else but this dysfunction as being "normal."
These stories are unheard of in a well-run, not-for-profit unit.

beeker · Feb 28, 2012

I am apalled.
Patients are not burgers to be flipped.
Or they are, if one's business is meeting shareholder expectations, and wooing/buying/lobbying/entertaining... elected officials.
Much discussion on this with one of our nephrologists today...I'll bite my tongue here...for now.

I am going to guess this clinic is FMC. Patients= $$$ and staff= cost. More patients and less staff seems to be the direction of the future.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 2, 2012

FMC just bought out Liberty and RAI. Very few not for profits left. Doubt any will be left due to the bundle that Medicare has put together.