I visit my parents in Florida every year, and I have to travel 32 miles to the dialysis unit because the one that's closest to my parents' house doesn't accept transients.
Why do some units not accept transients? Besides being inconvenient, isn't that infringing on patients' rights to travel? I would have thought that any dialysis clinic that gets federal money would have to accept travelers who have Medicare. My social worker has had multiple problems with clinics in Florida... is this a situation specific to Florida, or is it common in other states, too?
Posts: 104 | Location: Massachusetts | Registered: 08 March 2001
<TWoods>
Posted
My assumption is, due to the Dialysis RN and tech shortage nationwide, they probably did not have enough staff to monitor an additional patients set up by their policy and procedures. Which means, they did not want to endanger you or any other patients by taking on additional responsibilities. Maybe they have taken on more transients this yr then they have in the past when you have gone back to Florida. Its a double edge sword. Only suggestion I have is to have your unit call the NKF or their network and have them search for a unit that is taking transients. I don't think this happens alot, but it does happen.
Have you ever thought about PD? PD allows you to travel while having your supplies delivered to your destination with no worries of where and when you can dialyze.
Most Dialysis clinics are full of patients for 2,3 or 4 shifts.Where would you fit in.Unfortunately sometimes we cannot accomodate your schedule.Leave this headache to your social worker.