This is the one thing I do NOT like about Hospice. Tonight, had a patient transferred in from an area hospital. The woman has end stage cancer. She is absolutely Hospice appropriate. However, the family is in NO WAY shape or form ready for her to be in hospice. She is still a full code, they want all her meds to stay the same and asked when her AM labs would be drawn. I asked them exactly what it was they wanted. They really would like more treatment, but the doctors told them nothing more could or would be done for her. We discussed hospital and acute care vrs. hospice and comfort care. She was admitted respite care so that the family could have time to decide whether or not to place her or to take her home. They thought she was coming in as an inpatient for symptom management. I reviewed the two types of services with them as well. The decision was made to have her admitted, then discuss all options with the medical director and social worker on Monday. (Did I mention the great planning that had this woman transferred at 6pm on a Friday night? They KNEW this was going to be a problem:banghead:) So in comes patient's sister after I finally got through to the spouse and children. "What do you MEAN she can't stay past 5 days? We cleared all this with "Mrs. Big whig" at your main office. Don't you understand who I am? I have donated a lot of money to this place and I demand that you take care of my sister:rolleyes:" My reply? Ma'am, "Mrs. Big whig" doesn't have the authority to make those kinds of decisions, her title is in marketing. The doctor and social worker will be in Monday to help straighten everything out. Futhermore, while our organization does appreciate all donations that will not encourage us to make fraudulant claims to insurance companies. If we did that then they would shut us down and we could help nobody. ALSO, I have cared for a US Senator's father and I have cared for the homeless, they all get treated with the same respect.
She was not happy with me, her hand was on her hip and she was jabbing her finger in my face. Finally the patient's spouse had to tell her to stop it. She then left the building and promptly called "Mrs. Big Whig" and left a message on her cell phone. I got a call at 11:30 at night. How dare I say she has No Authority, she IS a director. I replied, I wasn't being disrespectful, I was being honest. You do NOT have the authority to decide if someone is admitted GIP or repite care. Further, I hope the money she gave was worth all the energy and time I have spent admitting this patient tonight while the rest of my patients got neglected. I was informed in no uncertain terms it wasn't about the money it was about the patient. Blahhhh, sometimes I just want to tell them all where to go. I just want to take care of my patients and make them as comfortable as I can.
It doesn't illustrate anything except a spineless manager. Tell who is more greedy insurance companies or a bloated, ineffective, uncaring, federal government that will throw you in jail if you do not pay your tax bill?
This incident illustrates why we need single payer. Hospitals and clinics need to be competing for patients not insurance contracts. Greed is the downfall of health care. We need to get back in the business of caring for patients according to their needs not for how to maximize reimbursements.
It doesn't illustrate anything except a spineless manager. Tell who is more greedy insurance companies or a bloated, ineffective, uncaring, federal government that will throw you in jail if you do not pay your tax bill?
Since insurance companies use 30% of our money for their operating costs, including advertising,attorneys, and doctors(looking for ways to deny claims), i would guess them. But that is another thread!
I'm sorry this has happened to you. People like her, with her pushy money, need to be knocked down a peg or two. Hang in there and hopefully it will blow over (since you want to stay there). If you get fired. Hire a lawyer, you'll win! Best of luck hon
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Where is the original thread? I am trying to follow the story. I can say already, even without seeing it, though, that these people are just into it for the contributions made by this person and that is it. It is a shame that it comes down to nurses being humiliated just because they want to do the right thing.
I have nothing to offer professionally but I remember your post, and I thought then and think now that I hope I have the courage to make the good choices you made that day.
I read your post and I totally support how you handled the sitation. What ever you do here it will be the best thing. I can't do anything but give you moral support.
one time i was asked to serve on a committee, for 'recruiting' more hospice pts.
i stayed one meeting only, and quit.
it disgusted me...
the ways/means of soliciting seemingly healthy pts and twist it so they would qualify for hospice.
all about the money.
i could see the attendants, salivating over the prospects.
a doctor was one of the worst.
he would laugh, rub his hands together and just presented w/such a jovial affect...
literal $$ signs in his eyes.
it was then and there i realized that no matter what philosophy is promoted, it's a business...
a meat market, and is all about the money.
i don't know if you can dissuade your boss.
it's going to boil down to what you can live with and how you sleep at night.
truly despicable.
and i'm so sorry you're experiencing this.
leslie
My supervisor is ALLOWING the Marketing Director of a Hospice company in our area to actively solicit referrals from the CC's...just so we can get free Chick-Fil-A sandwiches in return.
I wanted to tell her that it really isn't a good idea for them to be soliciting business from us or from anyone else, because their nurses have been observed breaking every infection control rule in the book (among other things). When I suggested reporting them to the State during my last job, I was told to keep my mouth shut because it was "none of our business".
If it is "none of our business", then whose is it?
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Where is the original thread? I am trying to follow the story. I can say already, even without seeing it, though, that these people are just into it for the contributions made by this person and that is it. It is a shame that it comes down to nurses being humiliated just because they want to do the right thing.
WOW! I went to work last night and our medical director pulled me aside. He went to the President of the Board of Directors over this situation. Told him that I did nothing wrong and that I was being crusified over an ego. He told me that his conversation with Mr. President of the Board was somewhere in the line of "You like these 100% satisfaction survey results you have had the last 2 quarters? This is because of the excellent care of the NURSES here. Nurses that are planning on leaving because of the verbal abuse and bullcrap they must endure. If you think a crew like this comes along every day, think again." The response? Maybe the board should set up a meeting to speak directly to the nurses here and SOON.
God, I sure do love our medical director:redbeathe
Oh! And my co-worker that was there to witness how upset I was over the confrontation on Friday sent me a lovely flower arrangement. I sure do love her too!
We have started receiving complaints from family members about this Marketing Director who has reportedly started calling them (and to the point of harassment), insisting that they sign up for Hospice services exclusively with his company.
Needless to say, Management has instructed our CC's to stop giving this guy any more referrals.
Agnus
2,719 Posts
Money is power. You are an employee. Employees cost (deplete) money.