why do I always have to ask but they don't

Nurses General Nursing

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Took my mom(80 something) to her family practice MD today for her yearly checkup. This time of year in the hospital setting nurses have to ask every admission if they have had a flu shot and a pneumonia shot. (there is he** to pay if you forget) It seemed strange that no one ever said a word about flu shots at the office. Never asked if she had one or if she wanted one. Also never asked if she ever had or wanted pneumonia shot. I also had questions about the new Shingles vaccine which I forgot to bring up and of course no one mentioned those either. It seems to me that it would be good idea for doctor or staff to ask about vaccines in the elderly.

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

In most cases, private offices do not employ nurses, but medical assistants. Therefore, they may not be trained to inquire about flu and pneumonia vaccinations. I wonder if the doctor even had them available at that time. If he didn't that particular day, he may have told his staff not to mention what is not available. I would call back and ask.

In most cases, private offices do not employ nurses, but medical assistants. Therefore, they may not be trained to inquire about flu and pneumonia vaccinations. I wonder if the doctor even had them available at that time. If he didn't that particular day, he may have told his staff not to mention what is not available. I would call back and ask.
I asked when they called me about mom's blood work. They say they have none. Did however direct me to local pharmacy that is doing them by appointment. My mom has an appointment for one. That is rich, pharmacist down the road giving out flu shots but MD office has none.:uhoh21:
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I asked when they called me about mom's blood work. They say they have none. Did however direct me to local pharmacy that is doing them by appointment. My mom has an appointment for one. That is rich, pharmacist down the road giving out flu shots but MD office has none.:uhoh21:

Are they charging for the flu shots or do they take insurance? I work seasonally as a flu nurse between October and November for an agency that dispatched us to pharmacies. We charged anywhere from $20 to $30 for flu, up to $40 for pneumonia vaccinations when the patient did not have medicare part A and B, or whatever insurances that our agency accepted as payment. We provided questionaires for the patients to fill out, vaccine information statements and had epinepherine just in case of a reaction. Get there early, in case there is a long line.

the shingles shot is not covere by medcare, or it wasn't last year when i asked

at the local high school they were giving free flu shots to everyone regardless of age or level of income

they had a lot of student nurses, and other volunteers asking if you had any recent fever or other problems

there was a long line of people all day

in the doctors office where i go each doctor has a lpn office nurse because they call in orders to pharmacy, unlicense persn cannot do this

Are they charging for the flu shots or do they take insurance? I work seasonally as a flu nurse between October and November for an agency that dispatched us to pharmacies. We charged anywhere from $20 to $30 for flu, up to $40 for pneumonia vaccinations when the patient did not have medicare part A and B, or whatever insurances that our agency accepted as payment. We provided questionaires for the patients to fill out, vaccine information statements and had epinepherine just in case of a reaction. Get there early, in case there is a long line.

Yes my mother's medicare card was all that was necessary for her to get the flu shot AND the pneumonia shot, no money was needed. The shots were by appointment, so no waiting. That is why I did not want my mom going to clinic, she is to frail for those lines. However, I waited in a line for an hour in October but I can handle it. Thanks for your interest

Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

As a FNP, I always talk with my patients about the flu and pneumonia vaccines. I usually start in September, before the vaccines are available.

Even if we don't have the vaccines, I encourage people to call back and ask when we expect to have them. If we run out, then I try to know where they can go to get one and recommend that. I don't leave it to my office nurse but talk to them about it myself.

As I'm sure will be no surprise to anyone, not every provider does what he or she should do.

As a FNP, I always talk with my patients about the flu and pneumonia vaccines. I usually start in September, before the vaccines are available.

Even if we don't have the vaccines, I encourage people to call back and ask when we expect to have them. If we run out, then I try to know where they can go to get one and recommend that. I don't leave it to my office nurse but talk to them about it myself.

As I'm sure will be no surprise to anyone, not every provider does what he or she should do.

I would rather deal with an NP for routine medical care than a MD anytime. The reason being that just like you they seem to enjoy the time they spend doing patient education. I swear the couple of times I have gone to NP the actually seemed interested in me and my questions. Doctor just seem so busy. Even when they do answer your questions they have one foot out the door. Of course just like most people my age I have been seriously ill at times and have had to deal with doctors and their shortcomings.

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