Does a Dr HAVE to round everyday??

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

I am wondering...lately we have had 2 Docs who dont see the need to round on thier patients everyday. One being a surgeon other being the Hospitilist . They will just call at night and inquire, but not see them. I was under the impression that the patient had the right to be seen by a Dr every day they are in the hospital.

Example: Surgery done on Friday. Surgeon rounded on Saturday, called in Sunday at 10p to inquire. No new orders given. Pt died at 0500 Monday.

The Hospitilist did see them, but not the surgeon. Considering she was a less than 48 hour post op you would think the surgeon would be in.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

Don't know if this is a blanket rule, but every hospital I've worked, ONE MD had to see the patient daily. Could be the primary, the surgeon, a consult, but somebody with MD on their tag had to see each patient every single day.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

I don't know the hard and fast rules. But I'll bet my bottom dollar that the surgeon billed for daily visits. Which would mean he is commiting fraud if he did not actually make them.

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I don't know the hard and fast rules. But I'll bet my bottom dollar that the surgeon billed for daily visits. Which would mean he is commiting fraud if he did not actually make them.

heh.

our psychic energies are compatible today.

i was just going to make that same point.

it wouldn't surprise me in the least, for any of the docs/surgeons to be billing on a daily basis, whether they rounded or not.

leslie

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Specializes in ICU.

hmmm the difference between a REAL doc and a surgeon? orthopod? i have to admit though that the hospitalist didn't make rounds. they are the ones you can usually count on.....surprising and not in a good way. :scrying:

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In the UK at the weekends almost all of our pateints aren't seen. There is an on call doctor who nurses can call if we are concerned or need something for a pateint. The pateints who have been unwell might be on the weekend doctors list for daily review.

During the Week I'd say virtually all our pateints are seen by a doctor during the day. the exceptions may be when a pateint is medically fit for discharge, there is no more intervention and the problem is social, these pateints may not be seen if the doctors are very busy.

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Specializes in ER, ICU cath lab, remote med.

Not to change the subject but...

What in your facility counts as the pt being "seen" by a doc? I find it interesting when a doc comes in, looks at the computer for results, writes new orders and leaves. WITHOUT EVER STEPPING IN THE PATIENT'S ROOM. Or the ones who document pt's heart/lung/bowel sounds when they aren't even carrying a steth? Or the ones who rush in the room as we're transferring a pt so they can charge for another consult before the pt leaves ICU.

Ugh.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I work in a hospital and all our patients are acute care so their condition is expected to change (for the better or worse). We require at least one MD per day.

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Specializes in ER, Medicine.

They should be required...but I don't know if they are.

There was this one patient I had stated no doctor had seen her mom in 2 days, ie the whole time they were in the hospital. Looking back at the chart all I saw were telephone orders recieved by nurses.

After I called the doctor, he admitted he overlooked the patient. He finally came to see them on the 3rd day at 2 am.

Of course, the patient's daughter was very upset about that too. 2 am isn't exactly the best time for visiting.

And there are those doctors that will see the patient daily, but do nothing but to say "You doin' okay?" And walk back out of the room 1 minute later. :no:

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Specializes in ICU, PACU, Cath Lab.

Our policy at least on my floor is that they have to be seen at least once every 24 hours...and they do...

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I don't know the hard and fast rules. But I'll bet my bottom dollar that the surgeon billed for daily visits. Which would mean he is commiting fraud if he did not actually make them.

I swear that was my first thought as well. I hope the family is aware he wasn't there and when they check the bill they raise holy hell and report him.

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Our patients have to be seen by a MD at least once every 24 hours and all of them are. It's never once been an issue.

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