Surprize!!

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Got called out of a meeting from the admissions coordinator. It seems a patient we HADN'T accepted was sitting on a stretcher in the lobby! The hospital told him yesterday that we would 1.take him, and 2. have all his meds ready...trouble is, they didn't tell us. I almost sent him back but it would have been more than a 3 hour ride. So he's irate because obviously we didn't have his meds and the nurses on the floor are mad at me because they didn't know they were getting 2 (oh my God the sky is falling) admissions. The drama is beyond belief...they'll probably call the union and grieve something. Sorry...had to vent.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

Oh, no. I thought our hospital was the only one that got little surprises like that! Don't you just love them?! And it's usually the famous "complainers" that arrive like that. The only thing missing is the big bow on their heads.

Anne, RNC:banghead::banghead:

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Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

Just one month ago, a man showed up at our door to admit his wife to our facility from the hospital. We had already explained to the hospital that we would NOT take her as both she and her husband were very non-compliant on her last stay with us. He had ignored the hospital when they told them they would have to choose another facility. They were turned away and we think he took her home.

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.
Got called out of a meeting from the admissions coordinator. It seems a patient we HADN'T accepted was sitting on a stretcher in the lobby! The hospital told him yesterday that we would 1.take him, and 2. have all his meds ready...trouble is, they didn't tell us. I almost sent him back but it would have been more than a 3 hour ride. So he's irate because obviously we didn't have his meds and the nurses on the floor are mad at me because they didn't know they were getting 2 (oh my God the sky is falling) admissions. The drama is beyond belief...they'll probably call the union and grieve something. Sorry...had to vent.

Elton John said it best..."Mama told me there'd be days like this...strange days indeed!"

We all get 'em- why your nurses don't understand that it is beyond your control- just tells you why you hold your position and they theirs.

Did he come alone or with someone? This once happened to us but we sent her right back with her family on the same taxi.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

He came on a stretcher in an ambulance from a hospital at least 3 hours away. I could legally have sent him back but it wasn't HIS fault the hospital sent him without an acceptance. You can bet I'll be calling that case manager first thing Monday morning.

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.

I would ask the SW to find these things out- under the guise of preventing another mishap.

The bigger question is "Since you rejected him in the first place- do you still want him?" Where was he supposed to go? Who will pay for his care?

I know if this happened- our CEO would have my head for accepting him- 3 hour drive or not- its not your responsibility- you may not have had the right to accept him- I would have called the case manager immediately- perhaps the ambulance driver messed up and he was supposed to go to a different facility?

I realize that good-hearted as you are- you felt sorry for the poor guy-and I applaud your charitable spirit.

I would ask for clear guidelines what to do in the future,

What a mess!!

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

We attempted to call the case manager..it was a Friday afternoon and she was already gone. We had looked at his referral and were waiting for an insurance okay...I, as the DNS, feel it necessary for ME to call the sending hospital..mostly so it doesn't happen again. To top it off, he is now being noncompliant with our smoking policy. When I get to work tomorrow, I'll give him 2 choices: quit smoking or go home. End of story.

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Mermaid,

You got dumped on, big time, and I would be hesitant in accepting a patient under these circumstances in the future. I am not surprised he is noncompliant with smoking, bet a few other issues crop up soon. We sent a patient home at 1:00 P.M.

Friday and she was back by 6:30 P.M.. Family says they were not informed of her "true status" prior to her discharge. News to me, she came in and was discharge with the same general problems, we just strengthened her, helped her gain a little weight, and taught her some tricks to help with her ADL's. The family member I talked to was a trip. I wonder what will happen in the AM when the DON and this person converse? I am sure the DON will attempt to smoothe over the issues, but the truth is the family got a taste of her being out of their hair and want to keep it that way. I truly had to cover my mouth when this person was talking to me, seems they expected this patient to be walking when she was dcd. Well for someone who has been chair bound for over 10 years with crippling arthritis I think we did a good job with her.

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.
We attempted to call the case manager..it was a Friday afternoon and she was already gone. We had looked at his referral and were waiting for an insurance okay...I, as the DNS, feel it necessary for ME to call the sending hospital..mostly so it doesn't happen again. To top it off, he is now being noncompliant with our smoking policy. When I get to work tomorrow, I'll give him 2 choices: quit smoking or go home. End of story.

Re the smoking-ABSOLUTELY!! One violation of your ultimatum and he'd better be out!

I would have the nurses hold onto his cigarettes and give them to him when he's in a smoking area.

Can't believe this happened on a Friday Afternoon!!! This ones for the books!!

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

He was discharged home today with services to start tomorrow. He'll be on the 'do not readmit list"

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.
:yeah:
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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

dontcha just love getting a pt dumped on you from a hosp on a friday evening?

i had to laff at the nurses freaking over 2 admits,lol. friday i was at the desk alone, doc making rounds, ward clerk off, ADON off, front desk secretary off so every call in the building came to the desk and in the middle of it all, they threw 6 admissions at me.

we had the hospital try to do us like they did you. nurse from hosp called and said ' ineed to give report on a pt coming to you'. i didnt have papers on this guy nor was his name on the daily admit list. the case manager told me "well i faxed the papers over!". lol, well ok...but doncha think you should make sure we accepted him first?" which we hadnt. he was a trainwreck and we turned him down. it happens so often that we have a rule that if the hosp calls to give report and there are no orders at the desk...the call has to go to admissions.

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