Asked to sign idt forms for meetings I was not present for?

caliotter3 · Jul 22, 2011

I would sign off indicating that I agreed. If asked, this is what I would explain.

Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2011

I would sign off indicating that I agreed. If asked, this is what I would explain.

I usually agree with you, caliotter3, but this time I must disagree. My understanding of the IDT is that you were present @ the meeting and agree w/ the changes made to the POC. As an LPN, I'm not a "core" member of the team, but I do sign the IDT unless I missed team for some reason. I'll be interested to see what others say.

caliotter3 · Jul 23, 2011

Does it say something about being present above the signature? If not, it should be ok, unless there are instructions or a policy somewhere that state otherwise. There must be something on that paper that indicates whether the person signing was present or is just reviewing it and agreeing.

Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2011

It is the policy of our company. I just ASSumed everyone did it the same way.

tewdles, RN · Jul 25, 2011

I agree. Most IDTs have BOTH an attendance record and the individual POCs/discussions.

I would not sign the attendance record if I had not attended. But I would initial/sign the chart copy of the IDT document with the date that I reviewed it as case manager.

allnurses Guide · Jul 25, 2011

We sign our names if we attended the meeting along with placing a check mark that yes, we were there.

If we miss the meeting, we still read over the IDT document, sign, but do not put a check mark.

We have to be part of the plan of care - even if we don't attend the meeting. And that means reading about what happened at the meeting. And signing as proof that we did read.

BethHospiceRN · Jul 25, 2011

Thanks all for your comments! It will all be helpful tomorrow. Unfortunately I work for a small company now that is trying to be big. They are forgetting what made them successful in the beginning. They got several big hits when monitored and all I know is that they were paperwork related. Forms are poor, communication is now poor, more interested in getting new pts than taking care of the ones we have. I was sent to do an admission 1 1/2 hours away for another nurse while I had a pt with 107.0 temp. I was assured they would send someone to my pt. They did not! True home pt that died with only a friend present! But, we got the admission. Forms have no mention of present at meeting or agree with plan of care, it simply has a space for RN signature. I did not see some of these pts for about 3 months. I do not know if I do agree with the plan of care! The nurse that filled them out did not see one of these pts, she was not present at idt, and I do not trust her! I am slightly afraid that I am being set up to falsify documents. New management and I was recruited by old management (by the way, old management quit because of the problems and did not want her neck in the noose).

Sorry for the long post, I had a weekend, and a few beers, to think about why this was bothering me so bad. I do not trust the people I work for now. I love what I do, try to stay out of the office and in the field, I think I've had enough here though. Not willing to go down with the ship. Not one attempt has been made to fix any problems that did come up when state was present almost a year ago.

Keep me in your thoughts tomorrow, I may be unemployed. I have never been fired before. If I do sign it will be with tomorows date. I really do appreciate everyones help!

tewdles, RN · Jul 25, 2011

Thanks all for your comments! It will all be helpful tomorrow. Unfortunately I work for a small company now that is trying to be big. They are forgetting what made them successful in the beginning. They got several big hits when monitored and all I know is that they were paperwork related. Forms are poor, communication is now poor, more interested in getting new pts than taking care of the ones we have. I was sent to do an admission 1 1/2 hours away for another nurse while I had a pt with 107.0 temp. I was assured they would send someone to my pt. They did not! True home pt that died with only a friend present! But, we got the admission. Forms have no mention of present at meeting or agree with plan of care, it simply has a space for RN signature. I did not see some of these pts for about 3 months. I do not know if I do agree with the plan of care! The nurse that filled them out did not see one of these pts, she was not present at idt, and I do not trust her! I am slightly afraid that I am being set up to falsify documents. New management and I was recruited by old management (by the way, old management quit because of the problems and did not want her neck in the noose).
Sorry for the long post, I had a weekend, and a few beers, to think about why this was bothering me so bad. I do not trust the people I work for now. I love what I do, try to stay out of the office and in the field, I think I've had enough here though. Not willing to go down with the ship. Not one attempt has been made to fix any problems that did come up when state was present almost a year ago.
Keep me in your thoughts tomorrow, I may be unemployed. I have never been fired before. If I do sign it will be with tomorows date. I really do appreciate everyones help!

I am so sorry that you do not trust your peers or management. Your hospice cannot have a functional field team if there is no trust...that is the foundation for the ALL successful teams.

You are probably correct that you should seek another agency. Hospice is difficult and demanding work and it is dangerous (for self) to work for companies who have forgotten or abandoned basic principles of appropriate staff support.

Good luck!