Admitting a new patient.

[WittySarcasm, BSN]

Ok this may seem like a stupid question, and it partly is. But there are times- when I'm running around busy and I get report from the hospital about a new patient that is to join our little nursing home. I tend to forget something when I get report and either just smack my forehead when I realize I forgot it or feel stupid when I give report and I can't answer a question the next nurse asks.

So just so I can get it better, what should I ask when I'm getting report if it isn't covered. I normally make sure I get-

Name

Diagnoses

A basic history (including age, what brought them to the hospital, stuff like that)

allergies

diet

A/O status- including what is baseline for them, so what maybe abnormal for us we will know is normal

IV, Foley, or any other extra tubes

Activity level

When their last BM was

When they had their last pain med and what meds were given (like if their 1700 meds were going to be given)

Any special orders- like neuros or anything stat we would need to know

Is there anything else I'm missing? Or are the other things that come up normal to not completely know about the new person? Code and POA are normally given ahead of time so we don't have to worry about that.

[Nursejoymariea27, BSN, RN]

:yeah:Seems like you have all the right questions....you might want to ask about a PPD, elimination habits, skin conditions and if they had any recent surgeries or procedures done recently and how they take their meds....sorry if i repeated anything you wrote......good luck, we all forget to ask certain questions it gets easier the more that you do it:nurse:

[ennylyecats]

I was told to ask about Coumadin, if they are on it what was their last PT/INR and when was their last PT/INR.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Your list looks good!

Ask about the skin issues..you might need to get a special mattress or wound vac ready. If they have sleep apnea..ask if they have a machine they will bring.

Look at that list of dx and meds and most of your questions will go from there.

Ooo...flu season..ask if they had a vax done.

I'll always ask if they had their dinner or lunch..that way I can have dietary save a meal.

[WittySarcasm, BSN]

Awesome thank you everyone! I'll be sure to add these to my list of stuff to ask. It will be a great help when I get a new admit (if they keep at the rate they have been coming at, blah)

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Tell the hospital you need a typed discharge summary with a list of medication orders. In Massachusetts, if we don't have a discharge summary, we can send the patient back to the hospital.