Re: too specific or not specific enough?
Hi.
YOU did not "get a ding"--Somehow your
facility and many many others
confuse day-to-day
assessment, documentation, and notification responsibilities with
"program" responsibilities.
Why is the wound nurse responsible to start a skin record and obtain a treatment order? Where is it written that the MDS coordinator (or ANY ONE PERSON) is responsible for maintaining the INTERDISCIPLINARY plan of care?
A professional nurse working for the facility must:
- Assess ANY new problem (skin, behavior, temperature, etc.) when found.
- Document his/her assessment.
- Report this new problem (and associated findings) to the physician for treatment and/or follow-up.
- Report this new problem to the resident and/or his/her family.
- Document (and report to other professionals) the problem, new orders, and any other actions taken.
Therefore, the unit nurse/staff--or
FACILITY--is responsible.
Although surveyors (and your staff) may want/need to see a specific care plan for this problem, the facility cannot be cited for deficient care practices if the nurse's actions meet professional standards of care. The documentation IS A CARE PLAN.
Why do we continue the mantra--
"The MDS coordinator is responsible for everything IN the MDS or ARISING FROM the MDS"??
And we disregard the "basics"--
The interdisciplinary plan of resident care must be based on assessment findings from ALL disciplines/staff. (whether or not re-stated/included on the MDS. )
Adding to, correcting, or communicating the plan of care is the responsibility of FACILITY CLINICIANS.
Hopefully, your facility's POC (and future actions) will show interdisciplinary responsibility for planning care and monitoring care outcomes.
Good luck!
Nursing News