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THE BEAN:
Kidney Empowerment

Home Monitoring vs. Office Appointments: What's the Difference?

7/25/2024

 
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More often than not, Dr. Munjal asks his patients to monitor their blood pressure and/or weight readings at home between appointments. You may find yourself asking “why am I still being seen in the office if I am tracking this at home?” Great question! There are aspects of your care that require different levels of attention from Dr. Munjal and our care team. Let’s discuss what those are and why each is equally important.

Home Monitoring
Dr. Munjal asks most of our patients to monitor their blood pressure readings at home. He does this so we can get a better idea of what your readings look like normally, in everyday circumstances. A singular reading may not accurately represent your average blood pressure. When blood pressure is taken consistently, trends over time are able to be identified. This helps Dr. Munjal to make better informed decisions. A blood pressure tracker is available on our website here to help you track at home. 
To assist with making tracking your vitals easier, we have a Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) program. Monitoring programs, like ours, typically only focus on one aspect of your care. Stabilizing and ‘fine tuning’ your blood pressure readings and regiment appropriately can help with your overall kidney health. Adjustments are made, as needed, between regularly scheduled appointments. To learn more about the RPM program, head over to our website by clicking here. 

Appointments
Regular appointments, whether virtual or in office, are still necessary as there are a number of other factors and events that can contribute to changes in your health over time. At appointments, Dr. Munjal provides a more comprehensive check-in to explain lab results, any pertinent changes in diagnosis and health status, and if there are other conditions or concerns to discuss. He will also order tests to continue to monitor your health or refill prescriptions as needed. Appointments are also where those home readings come into play. Dr. Munjal will review the readings you’ve taken at home to assess your blood pressure and/or weight management. Please bring your blood pressure tracker back so he can review it with you.

In short, home monitoring 'fine-tunes’ and assists with creating the big picture of your health for regular appointments. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to your care team. As always, stay safe and healthy!

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Kidney Korner: Dialysis FAQ Part 2, In-Center Hemodialysis

7/18/2024

 
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Previously, we have discussed general FAQs for patients new to dialysis. This week, we want to go more in-depth based on modality, or the type of dialysis you are receiving. 

​Q: 
What can I do while I have treatment?
A: 
Each suite has an individual TV for the patient's entertainment while they dialyze. Additionally, you can:
  1. Learn something new: take an online course, listen to a podcast, or read a book about a topic you’re interested in
  2. Travel from your chair: go on a virtual tour of museums
  3. Socialize: Call and catch up with friends or family, scroll through social media
  4. Rest and relax: try to catch up on rest by taking a nap and enjoy the time away from work or other responsibilities
  5. Get creative: If you have a catheter or mature access, you can crochet, knit, write, color, draw, or do other activities.
​
Q:
 
What is the typical routine on treatment days?
A: 
Each patient will find a routine that works for them. A typical routine on treatment days can look something like this:
  1. Arrive 15 minutes prior to your chair appointment time and check in at the front desk. The team does their best to maintain chair time schedules, but depending on the patients before you, there may be a small delay.
  2. A Patient Care Technician (PCT) will come get you when your suite is ready.
  3. You will weigh and have your vitals taken. Remember to use the restroom before you weigh!
  4. Your PCT will connect you for your treatment.
  5. Sit back, relax, and enjoy any of the above listed activities. Your vitals will be monitored regularly throughout treatment.
  6. When your treatment is done, a PCT will disconnect you from the dialysis machine. Your vitals will be monitored until you are stable, you will be weighed, and then released to go home. 

Q: Who will I encounter at the facility?
A: 
At DialySuites Bartram, your passionate, dedicated team will be with you from the time you walk in, to the time you head home. You will encounter the facility coordinator, patient care technicians, dialysis nurses, and your nephrologist. You can read more about the team here. 

Q: 
Can I drive after treatment?
​A: Many patients are able to drive themselves home from treatment. However, some patients can experience fatigue and other symptoms after treatment, so having a back-up ride or a care partner there to pick you up is a safe option. There are also transportation services available through some insurances. It is recommended that you have transportation scheduled for your first week of treatments to assess how you feel before driving yourself to and from treatments.

Q: Will I be tired on treatment days?
A: 
After receiving dialysis, you should begin to feel better. Some patients report experiencing fatigue after treatments. Listen to your body and rest as needed after dialysis. 

Q: Can I eat while receiving my dialysis treatment?
A: 
Unfortunately, no. Eating while on dialysis can risk choking, nausea, vomiting, and/or hypotension. Additionally, it is a sanitation hazard while in the clinic. For in-center hemodialysis, based on your preferences, you can eat before or after your treatment. No food or drinks (even water) are allowed on the dialysis treatment floor.

​Head over to our Facebook page and comment other questions you might have about in-center hemodialysis. As always, stay safe and healthy!


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Hurricane Preparedness: Safety Tips

7/11/2024

 
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Last month, we shared some hurricane preparedness tips like shelf-stable foods and some helpful tips for preparation. Now, we want to talk about all things safety. Storms can be unpredictable, changing speed, size, and direction on a dime. They can also cause a great deal of damage, fast. Let’s discuss ways you can prepare to stay safe when a storm hits. 

Prepare a First Aid Kit
  • Having a well-stocked first aid kit can save lives. The Red Cross put together a list of items to include in your first aid kit. You can find that list and additional information here.

Have an Emergency Plan
  • Having an emergency plan in place can make weathering the storm or evacuations go as smooth as possible. These plans can include:
    • Having an out-of-town contact so you have a place to stay
    • Planning multiple evacuation routes to account for closed roads or bridges
    • Pack a go bag with a few days worth of survival items (first aid kit, food, water, tent, sleeping system, radio, flashlights, water-proof firestarter, etc.)
    • Know the safest location in the home. Ideally, this is an interior room with no windows, like a closet, bathroom, or laundry room.
Know Your Area
  • Knowing the area you reside in can make a world of difference when seeking shelter, additional supplies, and disaster relief assistance. Important places to note around you include: pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations, emergency shelters, fire departments, police stations, and hospitals or stand-alone emergency rooms. Take note of their hours and any changes they may be making. 

Stock Safety Supplies
  • Plywood or other tested materials to board windows
  • Sandbags to prevent flooding
  • Battery operated radio
  • Batteries
  • Flashlights
  • Plastic/garbage bags
  • Tarp
  • Rope
  • Duct tape
  • Laminated maps of your city and state
  • Gasoline or diesel for your vehicles and/or generator(s)

Verify Your Insurance
  • Verifying insurance coverage is probably one of the last things we’re thinking about when a storm is coming. However, this can be one of the most important things to do when preparing for a hurricane. Renters or homeowners insurance may have lapsed or need to be updated to include flood coverage. Beyond that, it is important to know your out-of-pocket expenses and what damage is covered by your policy. 
  • Additionally, in the event that you are injured during this storm, knowing your health insurance coverage can potentially save you time and money when seeking emergency care.
  • Catalog your personal property for potential loss

Other Safety Tips
  • Never walk, swim, or drive in flood waters. There can be hazardous materials in the water.
  • Avoid downed power lines at all costs, even when you think they are no longer live
  • Secure important documents in waterproof bags or cases to prevent damage

Resources by County:
  • Duval County: https://duval.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/emergency-preparedness-and-response/index.html
  • Clay County: https://clay.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/emergency-preparedness-and-response/index.html
  • St. Johns County: https://stjohns.floridahealth.gov/events/2024/05/hurricane-preparednss.html

We encourage you to prepare in advance for storms as this season is projected to be an active one. As always, please stay safe and healthy!

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Fun in the Sun: Florida Summer Safety

7/3/2024

 
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Summer has arrived! Summer in Florida comes with relaxation and a plethora of fun activities and events. However, it also comes with many risks to be aware of and proactive in avoiding. Listed below are 6 summer safety tips.

  • Sun Exposure: Always wear SPF when participating in outdoor activities. Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher is recommended 30 minutes before and every two hours after sun exposure, especially if you’re swimming or sweating. It is also recommended to wear large-brimmed hats, covering with clothing, and wearing UV-blocking glasses. 
  • Dehydration: The summer heat can make us feel like we need to increase our fluid intake to stay hydrated. However, it is important to avoid overhydration, especially if you are a patient with a condition that causes swelling and water retention. Consult with your physician if you have questions or concerns about your suggested fluid intake. As Dr. Munjal says:
“How often do you water your plants? It can be complicated. You have to ask a few questions: 
  • How big is the plant? 
  • Are they inside or outside?
  • What kind of soil are they planted in?
  • What type of watering requirements does that plant species have? 
Under watering plants can be just as dangerous as over watering them as well. The same goes for people. Size, health status, medications, occupation, location, and the season are just a few of the elements that go into determining proper fluid intake for a person.”
  • Bugs: Florida has a wide variety of seasonal bugs with the most common being mosquitoes, love bugs, fire ants, and palmetto bugs. Keep bugs at bay by trying:
    • Citronella candles
    • Planting herbs that act as a deterrent such as lavender, basil, thyme, mint, and lemongrass
    • Removing standing water from outdoor areas
  • Disaster Preparedness: See our previous blog post for disaster preparedness checklists and other resources for this hurricane season here.
  • Water Safety: Summer is full of water-based activities, so it is important to maintain good water safety practices. These can include swimming with a buddy, learning CPR, not swimming when ill, wearing proper flotation devices, and more. For more information and safety tips, visit the American Red Cross here. The National Weather Service has additional safety information about rip currents for those going to the beach here.
  • Signs of heat related illnesses: It is important to monitor for heat related illnesses, especially in the summer in Florida. There are a variety of symptoms to be aware of and ways to treat them. The CDC has a comprehensive list here.

We hope you have a fun-filled summer! As always, stay safe!

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    About The Bean 

    The Bean is a blog on a mission to share valuable information in the world of Nephrology.  We believe in empowering through education and The Bean is a great place to find resources and information on topics related to high blood pressure, kidney disease, dialysis, and topics that enhance the kidney minded lifestyle.    Enjoy and be sure to subscribe!

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13241 Bartram Park Blvd., Suite 1001
Jacksonville, FL  32258
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Tel: (904) 260-9898
​Fax: (904) 260-9891
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Empowering Through Education.

  • Home
  • Your Team
  • How We Help
    • Kidney Diseases
    • Hypertension
    • Nutrition
    • Remote Patient Monitoring
    • Transplant Managment
    • Community Connections
  • Dialysis
  • Resources
    • Patient Info
    • Education Topics
  • Online Access
    • Connect Health Tracker
    • Healow App
    • Patient Portal
  • Contact Us
  • The Bean