If you've decided to open a dialysis center in your community, your focus should be on the patient. Dialysis is not a comfortable process, but with some planning on your end, treatment can be as comfortable as possible. To make sure that your patients' needs are the focus of your treatment center, you need to begin the planning well before you even open your doors for service. Now that you're in the planning stages for your new dialysis center, here are four steps you can take to care for your patients properly.
1. Comfortable Treatment Areas
When it comes to dialysis, comfort needs to start with the treatment areas. Your patients are going to be there for quite a while during each session. Begin by ensuring that the chairs are large enough for your patients to relax in. The treatment chairs should recline so that your patients can lie back and rest if they'd like. The armrests should be wide enough and soft enough for your patients' arms to relax during treatment. It's also important for them to have a drink holder since your patients will be drinking water during the treatment. This will ensure that they don't need to hold their water throughout the day. If possible, you should provide a way for your patients to dim the lights in their treatment area. This will allow them to rest during treatment, which is particularly beneficial for nighttime treatment schedules.
2. Low Patient-to-Technician Ratio
When patients come in for treatment, they need to know that they have a technician who will be there for them. That's why a low patient to technician ratio is crucial to the operation of your dialysis center. While you're planning for the staffing needs of your dialysis center, try to ensure that you have no more than three patients to every one technician. This ratio will ensure that your technicians have enough time to focus on the needs of their patients.
3. Backup Machines and Generators
If you're going to be running a dialysis center, you need to be prepared for emergency situations. The first thing you need to ensure is that you have at least one backup dialysis machine. Having a backup will ensure that you can care for your patients even if one of your main machines goes down. It will also allow you to care for overflow patients from area hospitals. You'll also need to have a backup generator. You never know when the power is going to go out. You want to be able to continue caring for your patients should that occur.
4. Family Sitting Area
Finally, your patients are going to have family members, or caregivers, bringing them to their appointments. You want to make sure that there is a comfortable place for them to sit and wait. Be sure to include a well-equipped family sitting area in your dialysis center.
Contact a company like GDP CONSULTING LLC for more information and assistance.
Share