RN patient ratio in dialysis

[Steve123]

I am thinking about moving to dialysis but I do not know much about this field. I have 10 years of RN experience. What is RN patient ratio in outpatient dialysis? How many dialysis techs help one RN and for how many patients is one tech responsible for?

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

In my location (central Indiana), 12-14 pts per RN with 3 techs

[Ashley_SF, BSN]

I'm in California and my ratios are the same as the above poster. I have worked for 2 companies and the ratio was the same at both.

[Staragate, ADN, ASN, RN]

It's regulated by medicare.

Generally: 12 patients per nurse. 4 patients per CCHT(tech)

The techs handle most of the hands on stuff. The nurse does in/out assessments, med checks, foot checks, admissions, care plans, trouble shooting, medications, education.

[rzyzzy]

On 4/25/2019 at 3:54 PM, Staragate said:It's regulated by medicare.

Generally: 12 patients per nurse. 4 patients per CCHT(tech)

The techs handle most of the hands on stuff. The nurse does in/out assessments, med checks, foot checks, admissions, care plans, trouble shooting, medications, education.

Is it actually “regulated” by Medicare?

I’m currently the (only) nurse for a clinic that runs up to 19 per shift, three techs each have 5 pt’s & one has 4.

Pretty sure I’m done with this particular gig at this point, but I’d love to look over any regulations that apply.

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

This was a question addressed in the ANNA online this morning. There is no specific ratio set by CMS. Some states (think union, like CA) may have set ratios, but in general, no ratios

[Chan Chan]

On 9/10/2019 at 3:19 PM, rzyzzy said:

Is it actually “regulated” by Medicare?

I’m currently the (only) nurse for a clinic that runs up to 19 per shift, three techs each have 5 pt’s & one has 4.

Pretty sure I’m done with this particular gig at this point, but I’d love to look over any regulations that apply.

This sounds really dangerous. Yikes

[2shoes]

Washington and California 12 to 1 with 3 tech's four both the biggies fresenius and davita is ideal have I covered 16 in a pinch of course...I am a team player... dangerous though

[HDNurse88]

New Jersey is 1:3 for pct ,for davita if nurse has 3 put on she doesn't have to cover PCT. In fmc you have 3 put on and 6pt to cover.

[exit96]

Michigan

1:16

4 techs when fully staffed

[JQuynh]

I'm in WA and our nurse to patient ratio is 1:15. On top of that, each RN have 15 patients (per shift) of our own to follow and revise care plans annually. If they're unstable, then every 90 days the care plan needs to be revised. Also, we have to do medication reconciliation each month for the 15 patients that we follow, which are not the same patients that we provide care while we are on the floor. We also do our own medication adjustments for each of our patients monthly as well. 

I am feeling the burnt out since they dumped the care manager's job on the floor nurses with one day of training to do the care manager's job. I continuously have to come to work on my day off to work on my patient's care plan/med rec/med adjustments each month. I am fed up!

[Spinmass, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

When I first started in the clinic, I was usually unencumbered with 5 PCT each with 1:3 assignment. However at times when it got short, I would have a 3 patient assignment and 4 techs with me. I have always thought of OP dialysis as factory dialysis, get them in, get them out with as minimal manpower as possible. Hence why I am now in IP dialysis and love it.