Helena Renda

Hey there Steven AKA Diablo... what an interesting ride this career, nephrolgy, has been. I, also, grew up (LOL, cause I'm certainly older now) using Baxters (work horses for sure) then on to Fresenius. Did u use the (forgive my memory of the 70's) Cobe w/ Sarns pump? Used for coil dialyzers.. that, more often then not, ruptured/blood leaks? And the Gambro flat plate dialyzer maybe in the early 80's. How interesting this has been. Honor sharing thoughts and memories with you.. and all the hard working, dedicated nurses.. that are picking up where we left off. Gooo nurses...and cont.to pick our filled to the rim brains nurses. Be well Steven. Alaska? Wow!

Morning HDRN.. hope your mind is at ease now.. did u read "urinegd..& Krissi's"responses.?. they both were so much more specific about details for Tablos neg. aspects for using in Acute HD settings (Critical care units & sub-acutes). Well put Urinegd.. and Krissi. Hey Urinegd.. give me a Baxter .. work horse, those were the days! and Krissy I would have hugged ANY Fresenius even if it was dirty to NOT use a Tablo!! Be well all.. and such good luck to u all. I've served my time in Nephrology.. but always..always.. find anything about Nephrology interesting.. and luv picking our peoples brains and having mine picked. Helena...AKA H.E.R.

To "Keftiric"...YES.. you are responsible for the actions of the PCT'S.. you're the license.. Your FA can point the finger at you if heaven forbid something goes really bad... and no doubt you've already seen these outcomes. Stand firm with your patient safety and medical knowledge.. for you.. for the people you're caring for. Here's a life story, from a 40 yr RN,CNN...I was working in a chronic Dialysis (HD,PD) unit working on the PD side at the time. FA came hurriedly into PD unit to get my opinion on emergent and sudden happening in HD side. I quickly ID'd multiple patients experiencing pyrogenic reaction, gave immediate directives: STOP HD, do NOT return blood (bag blood lines and dialyzers for analysis) w/ acute symptoms: vomiting, chills,etc, clamp off pt. lines send out 911... HERE'S YOUR learning advice!! THE FA (not a nurse) DIDN'T take my advice! Advised CN put on 2nd shift, YEP..it happened again!! I again helped.. then called Medical Director reporting details..He was wise enough to close down entire facility, replacing H2O loop, RO system, disenfecting, etc.. then I reported to STATE.. closed!! w/ MD taking correct action. HENCE; be wise and firm.. for the people you are supposed to be protecting. Good luck.. and Acute nephrology is also a very interesting career path.

Hello to all nephrology nurses. It is so good to see nurses seeking assistance from peers... GREAT! Let's pick each others brains... that makes us valuable, smart, necessary, life-savers. We, critical care nephrology nurses, are invaluable...our experience/expertise, for a lot of critical care nurses and doctors, whom are very valuable/knowledged in their right. Due to their lack of knowledge of the complexities of renal failure replacement therapies and our abilities to split-second react and correct life- ending bodily changes... ONLY achieved thru long time experience... tend to down play needed knowledge/ experience and believe CCRT &/or SLED & (holy cripes!) even HD can be incorporated into an already over-loaded Critical Care nurses responsibilities!! AND WITHOUT really bad outcomes! HEADS-UP Nursing Management and like!! AND GOOOO NEPHROLOGY NURSES.. you're soooo valuable... you've chosen a very interesting specialty. In 1975 started as a HD PCT, 1990 RN,CNN & Acutes. GIVE me a Fresenius too!! Quality, durability, settings can quickly and safely be changed to assist a sudden and life- threatening patient change of status... Tablo's were created for chronic, stable, home patient use..NOT ACUTE SETTINGS/ medical emergent needs! SAD!! CEO/CFO's/Nursing Administrators, yes finances are important/ necessary... HIRE QUALITY/Experienced nephrology nurses to assist with your goals... maintaining QUALITY patient outcomes. Take advice, a valuable sign of professionalism. AND don't be bamboozled into purchasing Outset Tablo HD machinery, thru confusing machinery jargon rep's use, making you believe Tablo's financial benefits and performance research outcomes vs ex: Fresenius. I speak from experience. Good luck to all... and GOOOOO NURSES. Hang in there.. nephrology is fascinating.. YOU save lives!! H.E.R.