If you're reading this article, you or a loved one are likely to have a long-term illness and need dialysis as a result.
Like any serious, ongoing medical procedure, dialysis is stressful, inconvenient, and likely expensive. Health insurance is expensive, but without it, most medications and procedures (especially current ones like dialysis) are just too expensive.
You can therefore rely on medical services or look for a non-profit clinic. However, choosing a good nonprofit clinic is not as easy as finding a good hospital.
DaVita Dialysis is a non-profit clinic that offers kidney dialysis and other treatments. Is this a clinic worth investigating? What kind of organization is DaVita? what do the comments say
let's find out
Index:
- Dialysis for the first time: what to expect?
- Overview of the DaVita Clinic
- The Good, the Average, and the Ugly: DaVita Patient Reviews
- Frequently asked questions about DaVita and dialysis
- Should you go to DaVita for dialysis?
- Diploma
Dialysis for the first time: what to expect?
Dialysis is a procedure in which blood is gradually withdrawn from the body, filtered and returned to the body. There are many different health conditions that may require dialysis, with kidney failure being one of the most common.
This is because the kidneys filter our blood, removing toxins, solubles, and other waste materials that would otherwise build up in the body. Without this filter system you will die.
So when your kidneys aren't working, your blood needs to be filtered in some other way, and that's where dialysis comes in.
Dialysis is often a temporary measure until the patient is eligible for a kidney transplant. Even a kidney will filter and purify blood efficiently provided you don't overwhelm your one with your diet and lifestyle.
If you have never had dialysis or are a new patient, what can you expect from your dialysis experience? Let's discuss some frequently asked questions about kidney dialysis.
- How long does dialysis take?
Dialysis lasts between 3 and 5 hours on average and has to be repeated 3 times a week. However, your doctor may make a different recommendation depending on your personal needs and medical condition.
That means you'll be spending around 9-15 hours a week at your dialysis clinic (unless you're on dialysis at home, which we'll get to later). Luckily, you can use the time to nap, read, or watch TV—most of the time, dialysis is just a tedious but necessary procedure.
- What will the dialysis look like?
Dialysis should not be a painful or uncomfortable process. Some patients experience nausea or abdominal cramps, but these can be resolved by adjusting dialysis flow settings. In short, if you notice any unusual sensation or discomfort, speak to a member of staff about it.
Because dialysis is a regular weekly procedure, you have a permanent port for dialysis, most likely in your arm. The area is carefully sterilized and two needles are inserted.
Blood is drawn through a needle and filtered through a dialysis machine. Clean, filtered blood is returned to the body through the second needle.
For first-time users, dialysis can be a disturbing experience. However, it should not be painful or even uncomfortable.
- Will there be side effects?
You should not experience any side effects. However, if you experience pain, discomfort, or other uncomfortable sensations during or after dialysis, talk to your doctor about it.
Overview of the DaVita Clinic
DaVita Dialysis Clinic is a non-profit medical organization focused on kidney care and dialysis. Although it is a well-known and popular clinic, it is not easy to choose a good non-profit dialysis site.
Besides DaVita, there are many other dialysis clinics in the US, so which one should you choose? Is it worth visiting a DaVita clinic? What You Should Know About DaVita Are there red flags to worry about?
Let's discuss these and other questions, beginning with a brief history of the DaVita organization.
history of the vita
The DaVita ClinicMission is "To be your provider, partner and employer of choice."
The clinic was known as "Total Renal Care" in the late 1990s and eventually faced bankruptcy. In March 2000, the clinic underwent a major refurbishment with a new CEO, and in May it was renamed "DaVita," an Italian expression meaning "to give life."
Since then, DaVita has grown from strength to strength with a focus on kidney care and other forms of healthcare, as well as green and sustainable initiatives.
DaVita currently has more than 55,000 employees serving more than 200,000 patients.
treatment information
DaVita offers two main types of dialysis, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. So what is the difference between these two types of dialysis?
Hemodialysis (HD) is the "traditional" form of dialysis, which requires you to visit a dialysis center about three times a week. HD benefits include:
- Personalized care team (medical team takes care of you)
- Socializing Opportunities (talking to staff and patients gives you a chance to spend time with like-minded people)
- No supplies at home (you can leave your dialysis treatment at the clinic)
You can also look at night dialysis. This will add approximately 6 to 8 hours to your overnight dialysis procedure. The benefits of nocturnal dialysis include:
- an uninterrupted schedule
- No "wasted" daylight hours (dialysis can be a time-consuming procedure)
- Good blood pressure control
- improved appetite
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an alternative dialysis method that filters blood from the abdominal wall. Benefits include:
- This is the filtering method that most closely resembles the natural function of the kidney.
- A more flexible schedule, giving you more control over your treatment and more freedom to follow your own life
- Preservation of kidney function (resulting in better kidney health and better transplant outcomes)
- No needles!
Home hemodialysis (HHD) is exactly what it sounds like - dialysis in the comfort of your own home. Benefits include:
- Shorter recovery time
- More comfort
- More time flexibility
- Less medication
The DaVita clinics offer all of these dialysis options.
Locations
With over 200 clinics across the United States, finding a DaVita clinic near you is easy. The DaVita website offers alocation tool, where you can enter your location and find the clinics near you.
Alternatively, you can call the contact number provided and speak to a placement specialist.
The Good, the Average, and the Ugly: DaVita Patient Reviews
The moment of truth has arrived - how is DaVita doing in the world of patient analytics?
It's worth noting that most nonprofits offer somewhat patchy services. The quality of a clinic depends on the financial situation of the company and the quality of the staff. Since many team members are volunteers, not everyone can be motivated to do their best.
Essentially, you can visit a clinic in one state and have a wonderful experience, and visit the same type of clinic in another state and have a horrible experience.
The best way to avoid a "trial and error" approach when choosing a dialysis clinic is to do a thorough research on the clinic beforehand. Don't just stop researching the company, check out your local clinic as well.
The good
A good dialysis clinic should make its patients feel part of a community. After all, you spend there 9-15 hours a week. Even if you choose home hemodialysis, you still spend the same amount of time on dialysis.
In short, a good clinic requires more than proper treatment. The staff must be friendly, approachable, friendly and efficient. Here's what one patient had to say about DaVita:
“As a new dialysis patient, I wasn't sure what to expect. The technicians responsible for getting me in and out of each treatment are attentive and friendly. The staff nurses always examine me to assess my condition. All employees will ask, "How are you feeling?" Dialysis is not an easy process, but the type of treatment I received here at this Davita location helps minimize the impact of the treatment. The treatment room is kept clean and tidy. This place treats a large number of patients so they are very busy but remain friendly and smiling. Bottom line: If you need dialysis for any reason, this is the place to try.” – Carl R, about Visalia CA DaVita clinic
You can check out this review on Yelp,Here. Cavalo Birdeye,Millburn DaVitareceived 4 ratings, all 5 stars, although no comments were left.
Good reviews like these are usually a good sign, although it's difficult to judge the authenticity of reviews online.
The media
For a comprehensive review of a DaVita Center, see its full lengthHere,and raises some interesting points:
“There are very few reviews of dialysis clinics and honestly there should be more. As patients we sometimes spend 12 to 15 hours a week in their chairs and we all know that treatment, handling, cleaning and quality of care varies greatly from clinic to clinic.”
This is an excellent point as choosing a good dialysis clinic is crucial to a person's health and can make the difference between being on a good organ transplant list or not.
The reviewer also points out some design flaws:
“This particular clinic has its issues, most of which stem from its design and size. It's a 16-seater clinic, which fortunately you don't see much of anymore, but due to its size... you can feel its limits. That's what I call a tense point. It's maximized for its size, but it's also a long design, meaning the team is more likely to gather at one end.
Again, it's worth noting that while this design makes a dialysis visit uncomfortable, there's no reason to believe this design will be replicated at all DaVita clinics.
Finally, the reviewer offers a personal compliment:
“The dialysis service itself is top notch and what you would expect. Efficient and professional. My personal recommendation is Kevin who is an outstanding person and if you are a patient you know exactly what I mean. Just for him I'm rating this site 3 stars instead of 2 stars (if I could give him 5 stars separately I would).”
This is an important consideration as these team members may make or break your dialysis visits. Remember you will spend around 9-15 hours with these people!
The reviewer rated the clinic 3 stars out of 5, making it an average experience. However, he pointed out that while the clinic is not perfect, the dialysis is fine - let's not forget why one goes to a dialysis clinic at all.
the ugly
While almost every review we found online for DaVita was pretty good, there is one shade about the company that you should consider.
2018 was DaVitasued for multiple manslaughter, after patients died after receiving dialysis at their clinics.
This is a shocking finding for any clinic and could discourage patients from undergoing dialysis at a DaVita facility.
However, in the interest of fairness, it's worth noting that DaVita has denied these claims and the incidents happened three years ago involving only three patients.
So is that a problem for you? Is it an isolated case or part of a larger pattern? In the end it's up to you to decide.
Frequently asked questions about DaVita and dialysis
After a few weeks, you will likely feel more comfortable with the dialysis procedure. It's never pleasant, but it's bearable - and it's necessary.
However, first-time dialysis patients are likely to have many questions, whether they choose a DaVita clinic or another dialysis clinic. Let's discuss some frequently asked questions about dialysis and DaVita.
- Will dialysis ever stop working?
Dialysis doesn't stop working. In theory, you could be on dialysis for the rest of your life.
Problems can arise when your body starts refusing dialysis, which can be caused by factors such as your medical condition. Dialysis is often used as a substitute for keeping a patient alive until they can receive a kidney transplant.
- How do you know if your body refuses dialysis?
When your body starts refusing dialysis, it's usually ESRD. Symptoms include water retention, loss of appetite, stomach upset (nausea, vomiting, etc.), confusion, dizziness, shortness of breath, and little or no urine.
As a healthy person, you don't have to worry about your body refusing dialysis, especially at the beginning of treatment.
- How long does a DaVita dialysis session last?
A DaVita dialysis session lasts about 4 hours on average, three times a week. This may vary depending on your health, age and your doctor's recommendation.
Should you go to DaVita for dialysis?
So should you go to the DaVita clinics for dialysis?
While most of the reviews we've seen in this article are positive, the 2018 lawsuit against DaVita could affect some patients. After all, a warm and welcoming environment doesn't help when the quality of treatment is inferior.
However, many reviewers mentioned good treatment, a clean and well-organized environment, and an attentive and attentive staff. Most likely, the 2018 incident was an isolated case in just one clinic.
The final decision is of course yours. Choosing a dialysis clinic depends on all sorts of factors, including your location and financial situation. You will spend hours a week at this clinic, and they will be partly responsible for getting you on track for an organ transplant (if that's your ultimate goal).
Always follow your instinct. Do you personally research not only the brand of clinic you are interested in, but also the local clinic you will be attending? This is a serious decision that should not be rushed.
Diploma
If you plan to visit a DaVita clinic, try to visit the clinic in person if possible. This will help you get a feel for the style, layout and atmosphere of the clinic. You might even want to put together some questions for the team beforehand.
While you're there, watch out for the other patients. Do they look comfortable and happy? Is the staff friendly and attentive?
Read online reviews about the clinic you want to attend. If possible, talk to friends, family and acquaintances who have attended or worked at this clinic.
Of course, not all of these tests can be performed. There is no denying that finding a dialysis clinic is stressful and time-consuming. However, don't be tempted to take a shortcut, especially if you choose to work with a nonprofit organization.
Not all dialysis clinics are created equal and DaVita is no exception. Each clinic differs in terms of staff, layout and organization. However, that doesn't mean you can't find a warm and welcoming clinic that offers support, community and of course dialysis!