Phone training

[Karlynn]

I've been in the process of setting up a phone training with a nurse at QAS. I left a message telling her that I've been home testing for 4 years and had already sat down with the DVD directions, and performed a successful test with my new INRatio. But I also said that I understand if the training is required for paper work. I received a voicemail back saying that even though I had successfully done a test, the FDA requires training. Is this required every time a diabetic gets a new glucose meter? Or is the FDA just assuming that everyone getting a home testing unit now must be getting one for the first time?

Now I wish the FDA would require doctors and labs to throw away their 20 year-old books on Coumadin and get with the 21st century.

[Ross]

It's more to protect the sellers butt then it is for you. It's fun though. Not a big deal of course.

I sincerely hope we see a change in our lifetimes in physicians thinking on Coumadin. They've got poor Aussiegal bouncing all over because they test her every 3-4 days and change doses everytime. I told her to tell them she is going to take 5mg a day and she's not coming back for a week. I think it's sad when you have to dose yourself to save your veins!

[twinmaker]

Karlynn, I never did any training when I got my INRatio machine. They sent me the video tape or CD (can't remember which) and a booklet with written instructions. Then a nurse called and asked if I had any questions and I said no, and that was the end of it. I can't believe the FDA is controlling something like this. They must think we're a bunch of idiots. Oh well. What makes me mad is that most of us know more about this stuff than a lot of physcians and nurses! LINDA

[geebee]

QAS made me do training and have my cardio sign off on a form before they would send me additional supplies. I have no idea if this really an FDA thing or just a CYA thing (as Ross said). It goes pretty fast though and is very easy.

[jeffp]

Its not an FDA thing, its for the insurance coverage. The home testing service CPT coding has a training component in the description. If the training is not documented properly, payment for the unit and supplies can be denied or retroactively reversed. Like Ross said, there's also the CYA angle. Just go thru it, nod and say "YES".

[Cris N]

My INRatio is through the Raytel service. I watched the video, did a test & then had my phone training. I told the trainer that I had already done it successfully & she went through the CYA stuff anyway... particularly error messages, warning me about not reusing the strip if I didn't get a large enough sample. Took about 15 min for her to go through her spiel.