Sharing A Caseload

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Dec 18, 2002

Hi Ro,

I have "shared a case load" w two other rn's, so that three of us PT'ers made up a week. It sucked. I was 3 days a week,so I did all the scheduling, and had to manage all the recerts, etc...

Working w a RN/LPN team is much more realistic, that way, you supplement each other. Just be nice and try to keep geographically as close as possible, since she has to do more visits.

I will tell yuu a secret. I used this credit-card sized day-planner, you can check it out at http://www.daytimer.com they do have one for 2003. It is a mini weekly scheduler. I put in all my visits, and pltted out all the recerts, and HHA sup's, so I never missed one. Also plotted in when a pt had a doc appt, so I wouldn't schedule them on that day. This meant less wasted time and wasted visits, which wasted my time a lot less. In the front and back cover, and any other pages, like time zones page, and metric equiv page, I slapped on a sticker, and put in my most freq used numbers, pharms, DME co's o2 suppliers, community resources like MOW's, etc... Also exit for intake,liaison's,HHA schedulers, etc.. I had virtually every single thing I needed in that teensy book that fit in my pocket. When it came time to do the schedule, I was able to get it done in 5 min, cuz I did it all week as I went along. So my pt's who needed labs knew when to fast etc... Very very efficient. Now, to share, a palm would be ideal, since you could beam info to each other's palms, but not as easy to flip back and forth as paper.

Hope that helped.

RoAbreu · Dec 18, 2002

:kiss

Thanks, I like something that fits in my pocket or waist bag! They gave me a planner but it's notebook sized and I was wondering if I would use it, realistically.

I've bookmarked the page, prolly will order the smallest one in weekly format. Good idea!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Dec 18, 2002

I put my caseload on a spreadsheet that I kept on computer--- used the weekly planner agency requested. I added one column that was for foley change/labs due; other was for recert/hha sups. Printed it out weekly and added to it daily visits, reassignments pt LPN, admits. Faxed copy to office each week.

I loved being teamed with an LPN. Wish my current agency would use this approach. Used voice mail to communicate weekly game plan for my caseload with LPN and any additions. I started out late 9AM after getting kids off to school--got home 6-7PM; LPN's did early 7-8 AM visits. I would leave VM by 10 PM each night so they'ed listen before bed or in AM. I would listen to their VM response while eating breatfast in AM. That worked for me. Every two weeks I called them around 5 PM to discuss overall case....urgent changes via page/cell phone call.

I still have all my main contact #'s on two cheat 8-11 sheets---pharmacies, DME, O2 suppliers, Portable xray/abg's, office of aging contacts, Hospice on one form. All my agency contacts on other; fax numbers one side----home visiting Docs/podiatrists another. These are my life lines. I now have to print it in 9 font;phone 's 10 font to squeese it all in. Too many mergers in my area to remember current names of companies.

Now my Intake departments Referral/hospital contact list has grown to 12 pages for Philly area. I keep all updated on computer for department.

Nowdays, if I was in field FT would have all synched to a Palm type device.

Hoolahan:

Still haven't mastered my Palm. Not enough time/fresh brain cells. Think I need your hands on instruction.

shudokan-RN · Feb 11, 2003

I probably dont see the volume that you do, but we use a 3x5 card system. one card for each day /procedure , oasis ,485, lab draw,supervisory,foot care etc.

I have 2 recipe boxes w/ month and daily dividers so I can have he current month and the next one organized. We find it helpful, and It helps organize your day/week:)