hi had a picc put in a few days ago......the drs arranged an infusion service to provide 4 lactated ringers, tubing and flushes per week......and also arrange home health for dressing changes once a week.......
anyway the company want $160 a week plus $100 nursing fee......they made ahuge mess of my orders.......now I have a huge box of items i dont need....
and a home health nurse came today and i was really unhappy with her ..and the way she changed to dressing. I didnt feel she was very sterile....
so I need help finding another company that can arrange both and depending were they are may need to take out of state orders......... I really need to sort this out ASAP....so I am not fluidless or have another unsterile dressing change.........
please help if you know of a company that can arrange both for me.......
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
It sounds like you may need to do some calling around. Pull out your local phone book (or use internet), look up home health care, find one that offers infusion services. Call and speak to them, find out prices for nursing care, etc.
If you have a hospital that you like in the area give them a call. Many have home health companies under the same network name.
If you have a trusted PCP, doctor or nurse friend in the area, give them a call and see if they might know of a company to recommend.
Once you find a nursing company that will take care of your needs then have your doctor fax them your orders.
Good luck. I know it is stressful having to do these things yourself when you feel so sick.
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
These guys came and spoke at a local lyme support meeting. They focus on lyme patients and seem reputable. They will work with insurance, etc.
THey serve all 50 states
Posted by jpsmom (Member # 23895) on :
what iv med are you on? I am in the same boat but in FL, I am getting ready to restart invanz & had issues with some of the nurses. I had used walgreens optioncare, they were great with everything except billing, I pd cash & still got a bill. Good luck this is awful sometimes but God will get you through! I was on invanz with a PIV line not PICC line.
Posted by Florence1 (Member # 22960) on :
thanks all.......
jpsmom.....i only need lactated ringers....plus the supplies......
i used walgreens last time and i liked them but this time they wont take an out of state order....i have to get an in state dr to write the order......and i cant get in with the dr here until the 7th......
bcb......i will look into qmedrx.....thanks.....
sammy i will check out local agencies.....thanks
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Some of us dropped out of this system, because of the cost, ins co refusing to pay, aggravation. Went instead to changing our own dressings, with initial instruction by nurse. Then bought drugs and supplies without the nursing service. Do the infusing ourselves. But it takes some instruction and experience to feel comfortable doing this. The only thing I need help with now is changing the extension on the PICC line, and that does not require a nurse, just a careful person, can be relative or friend. This system works better when your line is sutured, because it is difficult for a patient to do those statlock things. Some people manage it. I couldn't.
Think I already gave you info on where drugs and supplies can be ordered, but there is more than one way to do it.
Posted by Florence1 (Member # 22960) on :
Lou can you PM me with the info you did message me about a question I had posted but it wasnt about this but similar.....if you could I would appreciate it.............
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Sending you a pm. Not everyone feels able to do their own dressing changes and infusing. I was forced into it, but had some nurse instruction for several times before I went on my own.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
But a family member or friend can be taught to do the dressing change, if they are willing to be careful and follow protocol---after being taught by a nurse.
Coram is also a national company that does both.
But for the supplies, it would be cheaper not to go with an infusion company, unless you can get it covered by insurance. Otherwise, goes for a cheap source of supplies, like Infuserve America, or a local discount pharmacy.
If you can get insurance coverage, that would be the cheapest way.
But do not give up on getting good, sterile care---your life depends on it! It's a nightmare when you have to fight for that.
Posted by Florence1 (Member # 22960) on :
thanks Rumigirl, I looked at coram yeaterday i will contact them today...........
as for sterility, i wont give up thats why i was so bothered by the way the nurse had done the dressing change, my family would be happpy to do it...if taught how to do it properly......
Posted by momofthree (Member # 19490) on :
I use Hometech therapies and they are great. I do have a friend changing my dressing just to save money.