I have a weird situation and would like some advice. I have a peds patient, pre school, vent dependent with other issues. Anyway I believe the case has 20h/day x 7 days. Nice family, however, the parents want to go away by themselves for a long week end. The idea is to leave the patient alone with the nurses, from Friday to Monday morning. I would work my 2 regular overnight shifts the week-end but am uncomfortable with the whole scenario!!! I have never seen the 485 or care plan for the patient, the chart in the house is pretty ben at up by the tme I came on the case. Should I call my agency and ask for a copy. I am afraid if something goes wrong and I call 911 I could be sanctioned for not following the care plan etc.
I had another case where the careplan specifically stated another care giver should be in the home with the nurse at all times. I know an RN can be left alone with a patient for a certain amount of time, but 4 days, I don't know.
Another relative will be home in a separate apt in same house but is definitely not a skilled caregiver.
In my state, hours are approved for a specific period (sometimes up to a year) and the parents may use them however they please in that period. So if this child has 140 hrs/week, the parents are more than free to use 72 hrs in a row over the weekend and fewer hours during the week when they are home. In my state, 112 hrs/week (16 hrs/day) is the max that Medicaid will pay.
Anyway, does your agency have a plan in place for call outs during this period? There needs to be a non-agency caregiver who is able to care for the child, in my opinion.
How are you providing care for this child without a 485?
KelRN215, BSN, RN
1 Article; 7,349 Posts
In my state, hours are approved for a specific period (sometimes up to a year) and the parents may use them however they please in that period. So if this child has 140 hrs/week, the parents are more than free to use 72 hrs in a row over the weekend and fewer hours during the week when they are home. In my state, 112 hrs/week (16 hrs/day) is the max that Medicaid will pay.
Anyway, does your agency have a plan in place for call outs during this period? There needs to be a non-agency caregiver who is able to care for the child, in my opinion.
How are you providing care for this child without a 485?