Coordination of care

[ap05]

Hi

I'm new to home health. I've done a couple other types of nursing and so far I really like home health. I'm only part time...I honestly don't know how anyone does this full time. The amount of phone calls I make for even 5 or 6 patients is insane. I feel like every week I'm calling 10 doctors...at least. I think I struggle with knowing what is important enough to alert the md, which I know takes time. However is it really necessary to inform the doctor with every bout of loose stools or nausea? I understand if this doesn't improve or if it's part of their diagnosis we are caring for. But I'm finding if I report every change to the md I will be making calls all day, right? We all have minor changes in our appetite, pain, etc. Where do I draw the line?

Something else that frustrates me is there is pretty much no guidance. I'm following orders that aren't really ever ordered. I have to hunt down orders from 3 different docs. Why cant they just send appropriate orders instead of us having to ask about everything? It seems so backwards.

[Elfriede]

I´m in HH since 1990. I´ve learned, that docs are completely inable to communicate among themselves. They struggle about patient´s medication on my back.

[NamasteLVN, LPN, LVN]

Hi, not sure if you're doing visits or shift work. But the care plan should tell you whwn to notify md it has perameters for fever and how many loose stools. Hope that kind of helps.

[BAN]

The statement above is correct regarding report parameters. Also there should be a case manager you report to for administrative purposes? Maybe reach out to them getting report parameters ordered if not in chart etc...