Arwin

http://www.nhpco.org/sites/default/files/public/regulatory/GIP_Tip_GIP_Sheet.pdf The key issue, could the care be just as easily provided in another setting, such as a nursing home? If so, you're on thin ice. Other factors, how long were they out of control and how long have symptoms been managed? What interventions, and at what frequency, were necessary to get the patient to a comfortable state. Just because they are now comfortable doesn't mean they have to come off GIP if its taken incredibly hard work to keep them at that comfortable state. There is no specified number of days but since its expected to be short term, each additional day increases the risk of scrutiny. Each and every day, even the first, should have documentation to justify this level of care and answer the why here question.

Curious whether your hospice routinely tracks narcotic counts in the home for all patients regardless of whether the patient is high risk for diversion. We do not here but there have been some high profile cases in the area of nurses pilfering from patients recently. I certainly don't want to have any suspicion directed at me and I don't know how to protect myself against an allegation by a family member who decides to use me as a scapegoat.

Could this be a symptom of a general allergy? I suffer from hay fever each fall and one of the first symptoms, before my nose even starts running, is that the insides of my ears begin to itch.