I need to vent!! :

[mc3]

I just need to get this off my chest... Am trying to schedule my visits for tomorrow. Note I drive approximately 100 miles per day in 3 counties. I have been told the following by my patients

1. I don't like to get out of bed by 9:00am - can you come later, like after 11:00 but before lunch?

2. I'm going be kind of busy at 2:00. Can you come after 5:00? I want to go to the movies.

3. I don't like you to come until after 1:00 but before 4:00. This person does not even move from his chair, never mind leave the house during the day.

4. No, you can't come. My cleaning lady will be here.

5. No, you can't come. I am volunteering at the assisted living facility down the street from 9 until 12:00. This after she just plain didn't show up at our scheduled appt the day before. She was shopping. ( I reported this one to my supervisor. Homebound??

These are just a few examples. I am going crazy in this job. The sense of entitlement absolutely drives me nuts. I think it's because it's Florida and there are a million agencies competing for business. I remember when my Mom was on hospice. The nurse would call and say I'll be over at 1:00. I would rearrange my morning so I'd be free when she came, and I was glad to do it, too.

Thanks for listening....

mc3

[Zachs Mom]

There is the issue of Homebound status,even if your agency wantsto make the patients happy. As A Florida Home Health nurse has your agency mentioned the new cap starting 1-1-2010 on diabetic payments? It is in response to the Miami -Dade area fraud and sensus problems. Home Health nurse incomes are going to be affected by maybe 50%. I don't live in Florida ,but this new rule that was finalized a couple days ago is across the board and theagenciesI work with are preparing the nurses now. Sometimes our agencies don't always look out for us so just make sure you are looking out for you with your documentation of homebound status. Cms is going to be looking at how many referrals Doctors are giving and the nurses schedule as well.

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

i enncounter the same issues. i get the response.."i am eating breakfast right now, can you come later?" Then later, its "im eating lunch right now, blah blah". The there are those who totally demand that you schedule yourself around a family member who works and wants to be there when you are, but they wont be home from work until around 6 pm. i have found myself getting firm with them. i had to because i wasnt getting home until 7 or 8 pm and then doing paperwork until 11. but honestly, if they can go to the movies and deny your visit, then they need to be discharged. they are not homebound. they have all week to do things like go to the movies. they need to be home when you are scheduled to be there. just my opinion.