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?

[SmilingBluEyes]

I left a clinic where I had 16 (at least) patients and  3---sometimes only 2--- techs (!). I moved on to a place where there are fewer chairs (and fewer techs)--- but the responsibility is so much easier to take.

I can be a PCT if need be; I tend to help the techs in turnaround. I feel so much better.

[SmilingBluEyes]

On 9/10/2019 at 12:19 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.

Dangerous. I don't think CMS has a set ratio and they vary so much even in one state, but for sure, across the country.  In all clinics nurses have "primary" patients for whom they do med reconciliations, care plans, foot checks, etc. The charge nurse does anemia management (thank good ness). It's a busy specialty. I always chuckle inside when the odd nurse comes from the hospital to dialysis for a "break". Many go right back.

[mairearney]

On 2/17/2020 at 7:44 PM, HDNurse88 said:

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.

ChristianaCare in delaware is 5:1 and 10:1 tech

[gcupid]

On 1/20/2021 at 9:02 PM, SmilingBluEyes said:

Dangerous. I don't think CMS has a set ratio and they vary so much even in one state, but for sure, across the country.  In all clinics nurses have "primary" patients for whom they do med reconciliations, care plans, foot checks, etc. The charge nurse does anemia management (thank good ness). It's a busy specialty. I always chuckle inside when the odd nurse comes from the hospital to dialysis for a "break". Many go right back.

Why is every specialty in nursing difficult?? Shouldn't there be at least a few specialties in which u r treated with respect and not treated like a slave??

I'm one of the nurses in acute care that need a break.  (especially after this covid mess)

[SmilingBluEyes]

On 4/25/2019 at 12:54 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.

I don't know of any such regulations as to ratios. I quit a unit where I had 16 patients and only 2 techs. I went to the management and admin and they told me there IS no ratio law/protection. I was out after that.