Intake RN

Hi Paula,

I did some PT intake as a weekend super, I did intake on Fridays, then with another agency, I filled in for those on vacation, manager meetings, etc..., I did a lot of OT in intake.

Karen is the intake guru, and has listened to me vent my frustrations many a time. She has given me great advice, and has been generous in sharing her knowledge and policies in a few cases.

It can be a very high pressure job. Ww used to get maybe 30 referrals a day, and 40-60 on fridays for the weekend. Insurance case managers pressure you to take difficult cases, hospital D/C planners pressure you to take cases at the last minute, or what I love, after the pt was D/C w no supplies, and doctors always refer old folks whose families are having caregiver difficulties, and lead these folks to believe the VNA will take care of everything, so the family thinks you will be coming out for an 8-hr shift while they go to work.

The best thing I can do is give you some golden rules

1. Get correct demographic info and EMERGENCY CONTACT not in the same home, or a cell /work # for EC

2. Confirm that there is a WILLING caregiver, who can be available to learn and perfrom wound care. Often the hosp says they have a CG, but they don't always get that they also must be asked if they are willing. Ask if teaching was started in the hospital, esp for new diabetics w injects and lovenox injects and such.

3. Confirm they will be sent home w supplies, be it dressings, wound vac, hosp bed, etc, you can ask about other DME like raised toilet seats when you see diagnosis like THR.

4. Be sure you have insurance auth's.

5. Be sure if you have fractures/trauma to ask if it is a MVA/lawsuit/worker's comp issue, because the insurance paypr will be different, and you may not accept that insurance.

6. If you are not sure, ask a manager, director, or call the admin on-call for counsel before you accept a case that your gut tells you may be iffy.

7. Try to laugh, it helps relieve the pressure!