acceptable catheter diagnosis

[Txnursekristi]

Is there a list of acceptable diagnosis for a foley catheter in a LTC facility in Illinois? Want to make sure that public health doesn't think we are using catheters for "convenience". I know that incontinence is NOT an acceptable diagnosis, but is there a place to find what IS?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

LOL! This reminds me when a nurse notified the doctor thru fax about the resident's missing eye glasses. He replied with a note, "Do you want me to look for them?"

HA! Actually, I like his answer.

[debRN0417]

HA! Actually, I like his answer.

How about this one:

A resident expired and was a full code. The nurse did not do CPR. When the doctor was notified to "pronounce the resident" and inform him CPR was not done as ordered he said, "Well what do you want me to say? He's dead isn't he? There's not a whole lot I can do now."

[mothertrucker]

I received a call from our billing dept a couple months ago. They wanted to know what the diagnosis was for one of our residents who has an indwelling foley. I wasn't near the chart at the time, but I was pretty sure it was for urinary retention. The billing person said Medicare won't cover for that diagnosis but it will cover it for incontinence. Yes, our wonderful government at work again. Since the day I started in LTC, it has been preached at me, incontinence is not a reason for a catheter. I can't remember what the other diagnosis is, but she said Medicare will only cover the cost of catheters for 2 different diagnosis and urinary retention isn't one of them.