"April 15th Certification Deadline Looming for Patient Care Technicians"

Does this include PCT that work in a hospital based unit, if so can someone post documentation.

The reason I ask is because I am a certified tech but the person I work with told me it only applies to out patient units and whether I think it's right or wrong its to bad because it doesnt apply to us.

It applies to ALL pct's

I need documentation. CMS covers outpt units only.

quote:

Originally posted by Guest:
I need documentation. CMS covers outpt units only.

CMS covers ANY unit that is certified to participate in the Medicare program. We have 2 hospital based programs that are certified and 3 that are not. Regardless of the clinics Medicare certification status, the Joint Commission that accredits hospitals typically require adherance to state and federal regulations.

Chuck

Another interesting little tidbit; Beginning in April techs will not be able to make or mix Granuflo or Bicarb. Only certified or licensed staff will be authorized to do this. I know most place already have pct's doing this but some of us techs have always mix at least Granuflo. I guess we can't train them to do it anymore either?

What company and what state?

The topic of who can mix dry concentrate may not be so cut-and-dry. The guidance for V226 states: "Individuals assigned responsibility for mixing concentrates or for preventative maintenance of these systems must demonstrate competency in following the manufacturer’s DFU."
It does not state anything about licensed or certified. I found no other guidance in the conditions for coverage but I may have missed something.

FMC nation wide. Said that CMS states only licensed or certified staff will be able to make concentrates. Just going by what I heard from the upper class guys and gals. Who knows, it is just someone’s interpretation of the regulations! Well probably change before it starts.

Guest, try this:
NANT
Also:
Question: “Who is classified as a patient care dialysis technician?”

Answer: Technicians are described using a variety of terms, including “biomedical technician” and “machine technician.” The CMS requirements for the “patient care dialysis technician” apply to any technician who has any responsibility for direct patient care, including setting up the dialysis machine for patient use. A technician who maintains or “takes down” machines after use without direct patient contact is not considered a “patient care dialysis technician.” (pgs. 43-44)
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/SurveyC...ds/SCLetter09_56.pdf

B - There is a lot of info on this site but I still didn't see anything concrete stating that Bio meds or machine techs cannot mix bicarb or Granuflo unless it is in the medication distribution or something? I know they consider bicarb and Granuflo medications because they are prescribed by the doctor. So according to your statement below we will not be able to set up machines either? Not that I care but it seems to be part of my job as well.

I work in a hospital acute unit myself. We were told we do not need certification because we do not fall under the coc which are for outpatients. untill we see documentation to the otherwise, not just interpritation, we will keep doing what we are doing.

Guest,
That previous post was the first I'd heard of the mixing limitations. That may be a Big company directive: Big F, Gambro, Davita, but I haven't seen it in any of the AAMI or CoC stuff.

Guest2,
I'm in acute as well. We're reimbursed by CMS/medicare, which means we must comply with the CoC's guidelines or we could potentially not get reimbursed. I thought the same thing until reading the section I posted above. Dialysis Tech = PCT if touching a pt or setting up a machine.

B

So if you are not reimbursed by CMC/Medicare it is meaningless to us, correct?

Another Guest is correct. There is nothing that says you have to be a certified PCT to mix acid or bicarb. As long as you have been trained according to the manufactures DFU. Our units only allow a RN to spike an acid container to change its composition. Since biomeds do not have the hands on working with the patientsand their access, we couldn't take the test anyway. It doesn't make any sense.

guest2,
Man, I'm no expert, but I think Chuck makes a note worthy point. Certain 'guidelines' tend to make their way into enforcable requirements down the road.
As for CMS, I think your correct.
One of the misunderstandings I had before was that the CoCs were for outpt only. With so many Regs/Guidelines out there, I'd like to think I'm slowly starting to wade thru them & if I can, try to get what I read/heard out there so others can save a step or two or aren't blindsided.
Sorry, didn't intend to make more of an issue out of it than it needed to be.