Showing your Team Spirit!

By Debbie A. Sanchez, LMSW and Cherri Rubio, RD

Sports “events” can help bring dialysis patients in your unit together—through encouragement and education.

Wearing the Shirts

On April 29-30, 2002, both our patients and staff at FMC Southside Kidney Clinic in San Antonio, TX, were encouraged to wear a basketball t-shirt, jersey, or cap to support their favorite NBA basketball team.

Of course, the majority wore San Antonio Spurs t-shirts, but a few of us staff members were brave enough to wear Los Angeles Lakers t-shirts. Everyone had a great time. While the Spurs lost that playoff series, at least they fell to the future 2002 NBA champions.

“Phosball” Education

Continuing with the sports theme, we (led by our dietitian Cherri) initiated Project “Phosball” to educate patients about phosphorus and to help them watch their phosphorus levels. The competition started in April 2002 and ends at the end of June 2002.

Each dialysis shift is designated as a team, and statistics are kept on a bulletin board, where patients can see their “standings” on a monthly basis.

Our patients really enjoy this game, where each one is an active participant and can see where they strike out, walk, or hit a home run. In addition, the Monday, Wednesday, and Friday shifts are in a tight race. The most improvement in phosphorus numbers thus far has come in the 2nd shift team.

After the competition ends, patients on the winning shift will be treated to a special Texas barbeque. But, in the end, patients on all our shifts win, because they know a lot more about the importance of phosphorus control.

Names: Debbie A. Sanchez, LMSW or Cherri Rubio, RD
Titles: Renal Social Worker, Renal Dietitian
Organization: Fresenius Medical Care of South San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
Date: June 2002