foot stools, foot rests on dialysis chairs

Trauma Columnist · Mar 26, 2010

Yep - and I was told the reason was someone fell and "Had a bad outcome."

anurseadvocate · Mar 26, 2010

Yep - and I was told the reason was someone fell and "Had a bad outcome."

What state are you in?

anurseadvocate · Mar 26, 2010

I wish someone would tell FMC Corporate that it is more dangerous NOT to have these foot stool than to have them. Just because there was one bad outcome? Does that mean each time there is a 'bad outcome' that a policy will be changed? Perhaps they should focus on preventive rather than 'after the fact'... It would be interesting to learn more about what the 'bad outcome' was? Did a patient get injured? If so, WHY? So, because there was, we are assuming, 'one bad outcome', all patients must suffer and be uncomfortable, from what I have been told.

Just does not make sense.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 27, 2010

I'm in IL.

There was more than one bad outcome.

And...the lawyers run our healthcare system as a whole.

SmalltownOHRN · Mar 27, 2010

Yep we were told there had been several trips, falls and one death. Of course thats what they always tell us when they wish to change something. The question is why were these patients not being escorted? Oh yeah thats right because everyone is in such a hurry they slap a bp cuff on the patient and then walk away to try to take another patient off or put one on at the same time. Thats the price you pay for trying to get home 15 minutes earlier than usual.

anurseadvocate · Mar 27, 2010

Personally I find this offensive. Corporate should understand that there is just as much liability in NOT having foot stools as there is in having them. If staff are not present and helping patients when getting off of chairs, well, we know the outcomes. I wonder exactly just what 'bad outcome' took place and what the investigation showed as far as how it happened, why it happened, etc..............there must have been alot for the policy to change.. truly ridiculous.

Iamsignal3 · Mar 29, 2010

maybe they should get some lower chairs and avoid the pull out foot step problem entirely? can i have the address of the unit you work at that has time to escort their patients out! we have 15 to 20 minutes before one goes off and the other comes on pray there isn't a complication.

anurseadvocate · Mar 29, 2010

Or, maybe they should find out what the cause was and re-educate all staff... why should patients be uncomfortable without proper body positioning if there is no stool to rest their legs on.. what about their circulation when legs are just hanging without support?

Trauma Columnist · Mar 29, 2010

The problem is that pts stand on the pull out step instead of the floor. (That would be my guess) as I've seen this scenario happen.

You just seem so unhappy at in-center hemo - have you considered PD or home hemo? That would give you the control you desire as well as allowing you more flexibility.

Believe me, if I ever need dialysis, I will go with PD or home hemo. As an alternative, you can choose to stick yourself if in-center is the only way you can go -t hat way you can more easily control the infection risk.

anurseadvocate · Mar 30, 2010

Am not sure but I think you are under the impression that I am a patient???? I am an advocate for patients .. and many patients complain about 'real' concerns......and, believe me there are real concerns in the units... don't fool yourself :)

Trauma Columnist · Mar 30, 2010

Sorry, yes I did think you were a patient.

I guess I just don't see the issues the same way.

That's okay, we can agree to disagree.