nu2dialysis

So true Jnette! If only I had the support of management on this one

I totally agree with you bluefabian re fluid restriction. Unfortunately, the clinic that I am working for right now have real spoiled patients. And worst, my co workers let them do whatever it is they want. Some of them even run out to get the patients food and drinks (when it's not supposed to be allowed during tx!) I try to educate them as much as I can and it never fails that the response I get is "I've been doing this for 5 or so years and no one's ever said anything to me." It's now my 3rd month working for this clinic and sad to say I am getting discouraged and really thinking twice about continuing my employment with the said company. I thought that maybe I can make a difference when I first started but like I said it is pretty discouraging!

Hi! I have been a PCT for almost 3 years now. Started with Da Vita in Michigan and moved to NY where I'm now working for a privately owned clinic. I learned that there are different state laws that we have to follow here (like PCTs cannot draw their own heparins, can't put catheter patients on and we actually have stools that we could sit on!). I was told that PCTs cannot use UF profiling and sodium modelling without doc's orders. But they're really never around and our RN's are not very aggressive as far as setting UF goals for fluid overloaded patients. Most of our patients run for 3.5 to 4.5 hours with only 4 kilos as max goal even if they have gained 8-9 kilos. I was taught that I could use UF profiling and sodium modelling together to remove fluid in the old clinic I used to work for. Most of the patients back then would run for 3 hours and we could pull even up to 5 kilos at a time. So I'm left debating goals with our RN's and I don't want to seem like a know it all when I know I still have a whole lot to learn. Should I go by UF goal or UFR as far as setting their goals on the machine? Also I have found out that there are certain PCTs that have been with this company for a long long time that would mess around with their machines (when there's really nothing wrong with the machine) so that they wouldn't have as many patients at a given time (our ratio is 4:1 which of course sometimes turns out as 6:1 esp if your partner is lazy). My hubby thinks I should look for another company to work for but am now afraid that all companies here in NY would have be the same? Any comments?