For the weighing, push the chair they're in to the scale and use those. And the no lifting rule usually isn't the staff's fault, it's the policy of the centre. I know if I worked at one, and that was the rule, I wouldn't push my luck with it. That's my livelihood.
Transfer of Care: RE Dialysis PTs
- Thread starter VA Transport EMT
- Start date
I have never had them refuse to lift assist a patient - infact I have had them yell at us because they wanted to be a part of the lift. In the rare instance where noone was available they have provided us a hoyer (sp?) lift to use.
Weighing patients is the responsibility of the center. Though some centers have us weigh them on the stretcher.
Dialysis centers use us based on contracts. Our company makes sure that it is written into the contract for lift assists when necessary.
Weighing patients is the responsibility of the center. Though some centers have us weigh them on the stretcher.
Dialysis centers use us based on contracts. Our company makes sure that it is written into the contract for lift assists when necessary.
Negative!! It is not the EMT's responsibility to weigh their pt's. It is a kindness. However, my company has one of our biggest contracts with a dialysis center located inside a hospital with our biggest contract. Therefore we have a supervisor that works inside the dialysis ctr to oversee our smooth work and transition of care....therefore we are expected to be kind here!
But it is necessary, at times, to remind these rude dialysis techs that it is a kindness and not our job to weigh them.
But it is necessary, at times, to remind these rude dialysis techs that it is a kindness and not our job to weigh them.
Aidey
Community Leader Emeritus
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Actually, for some services it may be a condition of their contact that they weigh the patients.
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It actually is for some services. Contracts and whatnot.
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Most of the dialysis centers that I have transported patients too, have been responsible for weighing their own patients. That is just simply how our contracts were written. If the contract required that the crew weigh the patient, I would certainly ensure that the crew understood that weighing the patient was part of their responsibility and also ensure that they knew how to do it. The other thing that I would expect from the facility end is that they'd instruct the crew in how to weigh the patient, using the facility's equipment, if the contract specified that the transport crew weighed the patient.
From a facility standpoint, I'd want to ensure that each patient is accurately weighed before and after therapy, using a standard procedure, and ensure that procedure is followed, regardless of who does the weighing. Ensuring that policy is followed would help minimize liability that could fall back on the facility.
No matter what, always be kind to the personnel at the various facilities you transport to or from. Because of crew attitudes, a company can gain or lose contracts. Since all transport companies can pretty much provide the same levels of service, it can very easily come to perceived crew attitudes. Lose enough transport contracts and you can kiss your employer bye-bye.
From a facility standpoint, I'd want to ensure that each patient is accurately weighed before and after therapy, using a standard procedure, and ensure that procedure is followed, regardless of who does the weighing. Ensuring that policy is followed would help minimize liability that could fall back on the facility.
No matter what, always be kind to the personnel at the various facilities you transport to or from. Because of crew attitudes, a company can gain or lose contracts. Since all transport companies can pretty much provide the same levels of service, it can very easily come to perceived crew attitudes. Lose enough transport contracts and you can kiss your employer bye-bye.
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When working transport, I never had an issue with staff refusing to lift a patient but it was rare that we requested it. I actually perferred that they didn't. Once we touch our patient care is transferred. Additionally most staff at dialysis centers are not allowed or trained in lifting. If its a recurring issue with the same patients something should be worked out for assistance, whether a third crew member or additional truck. If the issue is with most of your dialysis patients, the problems appears it might be the operator.
:rofl: You'll notice that in most cases your contracts are with the Nursing Homes and their dialysis pt's are your companies responsibility for transport. Your contracts will not be with the dialysis center. Ambulance contracts will ensure some sort of BLS/ALS routine transport of pt's to these dialysis facilities along with the transfer of care.
Though, it really is not our job to weigh the dialysis pt's, we do it out of kindness.
Though, it really is not our job to weigh the dialysis pt's, we do it out of kindness.
