Medicaid reimbursement and patient satisfaction scores

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Apr 25, 2011

That's exactly what Muammar Gaddafi, Bashar al-Assad, Hosni Mubarak, and Zine El Abidine Ben Ali have been saying for years! You're either with me or against me! Ask your CEO how things are working out for them.

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Apr 25, 2011

Yes, HCAPHS surveys. That's all we hear about day after day....gives me a headache. Makes me dislike our govt even more than I already do.

RN-ing, BSN, MSN, NP · Apr 25, 2011

That's exactly what Muammar Gaddafi, Bashar al-Assad, Hosni Mubarak, and Zine El Abidine Ben Ali have been saying for years! You're either with me or against me! Ask your CEO how things are working out for them.

Ha! We got another email the following week saying the CEO will no longer be doing "weekly briefings".

Ya know, we haven't recieved a cost of living raise in 3 years. Our insurance premiums increased $30 per month last year. Employee morale is low low low. Is it crazy to believe employee morale and patient satisfaction are related? And note, this employee's satisfaction is measured foremost in money! I don't do this for my health... :cool:

proudnurseRN · Apr 26, 2011

We may work at the same hospital... sounds very familiar.

Do you happen to live in Indiana by chance?

evilolive, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

One thing I thought about when I heard about the reimbursement issue: I only fill out surveys when I feel as if I have had sub-par service. I know this is only my personal opinion, but I feel the need to vent and complain about things I don't like. It's sad, but very rarely do I make the effort to fill out the customer surveys unless I felt slighted by the establishment in some way.

I think this method of reimbursement is setting up our facilities for disaster.

Oh, and what about all the deceased "discharged" patients who I provided extraordinary care to? Do they get a say?!? Can you send some surveys to heaven?

rkitty198, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

I am going to play devils advocate here.

When management starts to see that patient satisfaction is low as well as their reimbursements, maybe they will give us lunch breaks and less patients. :devil:

RN-ing, BSN, MSN, NP · Apr 26, 2011

We may work at the same hospital... sounds very familiar.
Do you happen to live in Indiana by chance?

Yes I do

Batman25 · Apr 26, 2011

It's a ridiculous and insane system. How utterly absurd. People can give low scores because they are ticked they couldn't eat or drink for their own good, had to cough for their own good, had to walk after surgery for their own good, etc. They will be poked and prodded and asked if they peed and pooped and no one likes any of it. They might get a turkey burger instead of a hamburger and that will tick them off towards staff. Idiotic and sets the hospitals and employees up to fail.

I also agree with the above in regards to deceased patients. Many get excellent care and they won't even be able to share it. And another great point above is that many only share the negative but not the positive.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

I think surveys are stupid. Like someone said, people often only complete them when they have complaints. Also, the questions don't necessarily ask things that can be changed, or identify who needs to change. They ask things that sound pretty and might make the facility seem spiffy, if answered positively. I can't think of any examples (duhhh) right now...

I was someone who analyzed those blasted surveys for awhile. Medicaid/Medicare have required them for awhile, but this actual use of them is a new thing. It's just more paperwork for them. You can tell someone dreamed it up who doesn't do the work we do, can't you?

In my opinion, we might consider letting the lectures go in one ear and out the other, and continue to do what we do best, which is giving kind, high quality care.

honeykrown, MSN, NP · Apr 26, 2011

I dont know how this patient satisfaction survey thing will work, but then those people who made this law may just have been on something when it was made. I hope at least they make room for patients who give low scores because the nurse decided to roll her eyes at their ridiculous requests.

But for real can someone please explain how this would work out and if it would affect agencies who get paid by medicaid.

thanks

damrcngrl95 · Apr 26, 2011

I know it's not exactly the same, but I felt this way when they were talking about tying teacher's pay to student performance. This makes about as much sense. I am sad to see another profession getting beaten down by our government system. The difference is that parents have other choices. They can home school, send them to private school, or hope for the best at the public schools. Where as the public has no choice but to seek medical care at the hospitals in their areas. It's a sad situation where everyone is going to lose.