Results and Testimonials

 

Sutter Roseville Medical Center and Sutter Davis Hospital

Peggy Tyndall, Director of Case Management at Sutter Roseville Medical Center and Sutter Davis Hospital, didn’t know that when her hospital signed up for DaVita’s Patient Pathways program that she was getting a “one-stop-shopping” service. But with her Patient Pathways Liaison, Peggy said that’s exactly how she feels.

Whereas the discharging of dialysis patients used to fall on the shoulders of case managers, now the Patient Pathways Liaison handles everything relating to the transition to out-patient dialysis, from scheduling dialysis, to educating patients on their treatment options, to working with physicians and processing orders.

“We are 100% confident that our Patient Pathways Liaison can take care of everything for the transition to outpatient dialysis,” Peggy said. “Essentially, since the liaison is so hands-on, visible (to the patients) and available, as soon as we know someone is going to be discharged on dialysis we turn it over to the liaison and she does everything.”

Peggy said that the patients have also benefited from having the Patient Pathways Liaison available, especially because the liaison is able to provide dialysis-specific education.

“Our whole dialysis discharge process has improved amazingly and I really attribute that to the liaison’s ability to manage the process, provide education and work with physicians,” Peggy said.

Sutter General Hospital

Shelly Mason, Director of Case Management for Sutter General Hospital, knows what it’s like to work in a hospital that uses DaVita’s Patient Pathways, which provides onsite patient liaisons who specialize in the care of ESRD patients, and what it’s like to work in a hospital that doesn’t. To her the difference is night and day.

“It’s extremely helpful to have a single source of contact [the onsite patient liaison] and then not have that responsibility on the shoulders of case managers trying to coordinate care for multiple patients,” Shelly said.

When she worked at a hospital without onsite patient liaisons, Shelly said the case management staff was responsible for coordinating patient care with external vendors, which was time consuming and efforts were often duplicated.

“You’ve got literally two or three case managers, then two or three different points of contact to try and get dialysis coordinated,” Shelly said. “There’s just a lot of duplication of work and probably delayed patient discharges as a result.

”Working with two patient liaisons from DaVita’s Patient Pathways is invaluable, Shelly said.

“The case managers really appreciate the support,” Shelly said “It’s just a cleaner process. It’s more efficient to have a single source of contact, and to have the expertise onsite is incredibly helpful.”

Patient Testimonial

Will Mobley was ready to give up. He went to the hospital for what he thought was pneumonia and was instead diagnosed with kidney failure. He felt like he had been given a death sentence.

“I didn’t know whether to go on dialysis or not,” Will said. “If I was going to die soon, why go on dialysis at all?”

But Will’s DaVita® Patient Pathways On-Site Liaison, Diann, helped him see his situation differently. Diann took the time to explain to Will what kidney disease is, as well as his options for dialysis.

“She helped me understand what kidney failure and dialysis are all about,” Will said. “She spent time with me and sat with me until I completely understood and was comfortable. After that I wanted to accept life, and I understood that I didn’t have a death sentence.”

Will had his first dialysis treatment in February and said that what he experienced was exactly what Diann told him to expect. The staff was friendly and caring, and he met other people there who he could relate to. 

“I talked to some other patients there and, before I knew it, four hours had passed,” he said. “I want to continue experiencing life. I’m not afraid to go to dialysis. I know I no longer have that fear, that animosity. If anyone feels unsure or scared, I hope they meet someone like Diann.”

Besides getting the treatment he needs to stay healthy, Will has also found a new way to look at his life. “Diann made me feel like I am still worth something, I am still worthwhile.  I feel like I have something to do, something to contribute to life.”