As a retired Registered Nurse and health care patient advocate, I am shocked to read that which occurred at the Davita, Lufkin dialysis facility. In fact, I have received many e-mails regarding same. At this point, to make assumptions, as to the reasons for this tragic event, would be, not only foolish, but presumptuous on my part. We may never know the real reasons why these lives were lost.
I strongly urge shareholders to take time and read dialysis facility survey reports from various states. The survey findings, with a voice of their own, show a lack of quality safe care being delivered in many facilities, throughout the United States, not just in Texas. Call me naïve', but I would like to think if shareholders were aware of these preventable negative outcomes, as well as other situations in some units, they would stand up and make a statement that they understand these are human lives and patient safety and quality care must be a priority for ''all patients.'' They must think, ''this could be one of my loved ones,'' and send a message that not only do they care about profit, but they care about the company's activities as that related to delivery of care. Shareholders should take a stand and state they will not invest in companies that will not listen to all patients and ensure their staff are adhering to all requirements and standards of care that result in quality safe care. Shareholders can make a difference. Shareholders must realize that there is more to quality care than that which Davita publicizes. And, if it is about money, then improved care will lead to more of those ''fat dividend checks.''
Providers, their shareholders and all involved in care should ''walk in a patient's shoes who is not receiving quality safe care,'' then, and, only then, might there be true realization of that which happens in many a facility. And, there might be an increased appreciation for what many patients experience.
In order to provide safe care there must be an effective oversight and enforcement process with sanctions to provide an incentive for facilities to remain in compliance. The existing system of inspecting dialysis facilities every three years is ridiculous, as well as existing minimal sanctions that do not address true care issues related to ESRD conditions, as infection control. Perhaps, our elected officials, who receive nice contributions from the dialysis industry, should re-evaluate and realize that quality safe care is needed as well as kidney and diabetes education and higher reimbursements for facilities. Perhaps, our elected officials need to understand that compliance with federal regulations is the foundation of safe care but with an ineffective CMS oversight and enforcement process, as well as many states, such as California, not being able to fulfill the CMS request for inspections, we will not know if facilities are in compliance and providing safe care. Let's take all that lobbying money and put it to good use in an effective oversight and enforcement system that will result in improved quality of life for patients. After all, all providers want their patients to receive the highest level of quality safe care. Hence, those good lobbying dollars would be more effectively spent.
The public information provided, by CMS, is not a true picture of dialysis care, however, a good inspection will clearly tell if a facility is providing quality safe care.
