why do I always have to ask but they don't

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Took my mom(80 something) to her family practice MD today for her yearly checkup. This time of year in the hospital setting nurses have to ask every admission if they have had a flu shot and a pneumonia shot. (there is he** to pay if you forget) It seemed strange that no one ever said a word about flu shots at the office. Never asked if she had one or if she wanted one. Also never asked if she ever had or wanted pneumonia shot. I also had questions about the new Shingles vaccine which I forgot to bring up and of course no one mentioned those either. It seems to me that it would be good idea for doctor or staff to ask about vaccines in the elderly.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I agree. One would think doctor's offices would be on the front lines in vacinnation. I have to say they're pretty good here in Tampa Bay about advocating flu and pneumonia shots.

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Specializes in OB/peds (after gen surgery for 3 yrs).

My parents' doc is on top of their flu shots and their pneumonia shot. I'll have to remember to inquire about that shingles one too. It's too bad no one mentioned it for your mom. Maybe you should call the office and she if she can get them! (as if you have plenty of time to bring her back in!)

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Specializes in cardiac/critical care/ informatics.

The hospitals do because of joint commision, but doctors offices are accredited by joint commision. But it would make sense for doctors office to do also.

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Specializes in RN- Med/surg.

We have the same thing at the hospital I work at. Also...9 times out of ten the dr's DC the orders for the vaccines due to whatever reason they're admitted for in the first place. It seems like alot of wasted time during the admission- it should be addressed at the clinic when they're in better health.

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My parents' doc is on top of their flu shots and their pneumonia shot. I'll have to remember to inquire about that shingles one too. It's too bad no one mentioned it for your mom. Maybe you should call the office and she if she can get them! (as if you have plenty of time to bring her back in!)

they doc always ends up calling me about results of my mom's blood work, I will ask why they didn't ask then

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The docs around here will push flu and pneumonia vaxes on their pts, especially the at-risk ones. I'd have a talk with the doc or find another one.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Private Duty Peds.

Because it is Joint Commission thing and we were told, part of Medicaid and Medicare Mandat to get reimbursed.

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Because it is Joint Commission thing and we were told, part of Medicaid and Medicare Mandat to get reimbursed.

Yep. That's exactly it. Hospitals are required to pass the JCAHO standard for accreditation AND for Medicare/Medicaid reimbursment. And hospitals would be losing LOTS of money if they were not reimbursed by those programs.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

MD's will have to follow certain standards before long. Might as well have universal insurance if you have a universal boss.

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Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

I have been giving Flu vaccines for a registry since Oct.1st Did my last one yesterday, and I still had ppl telling me that thier Dr.s offices have not recieved the vaccine. You can't give what you don't have, not sure why they have not recieved them yet. The clinics were in different areas so I know the chances of the ppl shareing a doc are nil, so not sure whats up. Maybe the Dr. offices would rather have thier pt's get the vaccine elsewhere than to tie up room and time for a $25 vaccine when they could have a $150 evaluation in the spot........

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When I was hospitalized they asked me, told me I would be given the shots, then refused to give me the shots before they discharged me. Huh? Not even a valid excuse when they told me.

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