What is the latest a note can be submitted?

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Hi,

I'm new to home health nursing, but have a lot of experience doing online charting, so just do all the work by tablet during the visit. My agency has a few nurses who do all charting on paper, and then submit online at the end of the cycle. They're good nurses, and communicate well about their patients. But with the change to online charting from paper, it makes me wonder what the absolute limit on nursing note submission can be. Is the duration set by Medicare, agency, or just whatever the nurse believes to be reasonable and prudent? Thanks,

CaringInColton

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Our agency requires notes within 24 hrs and oasis within 48 hrs, I can't find any state or CMS documentation deadline regulations in this context.

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Our agency requires notes within 24 hrs and oasis within 48 hrs, I can't find any state or CMS documentation deadline regulations in this context.

That is impressive... And would be my preference, if my opinion mattered. ;)

One of my jobs requires visits complete prior to pay cycle ending (not closed = not paid). Not sure their timeframe on oasis, as I do not do oasis at that job. My other job is very lax; some nurses are many weeks behind.

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I like to do them in house. I think a shiny new uniform with quality clean technology and attentive staff provides to the marketing side of the professional image- even if you're just charting "WNL."

I coudn't find any federal or State regs, either. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and keep getting referrals.

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That is impressive... And would be my preference, if my opinion mattered. ;)

One of my jobs requires visits complete prior to pay cycle ending (not closed = not paid). Not sure their timeframe on oasis, as I do not do oasis at that job. My other job is very lax; some nurses are many weeks behind.

I saw that. My mom used to wait until about a month or two to do her notes. I would help arrange them by patient and chronologically. So, when I went to school, I vowed never to do it. If you know what you're doing, it's okay, but it does ease any worry or questions about professionalism when you're "johnny on the spot," I think.

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I could never be weeks behind, just days behind is chaotic and stressful enough.

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Specializes in Pedi.
I could never be weeks behind, just days behind is chaotic and stressful enough.

I don't understand how people do that either. I won't chart after hours but never finish anything later than the next working day.

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Specializes in Home Health, Geriatrics, Women's Health, Addiction.

Our company policy is to have all documentation completed by 10 am the next calendar day. It is not always feasible but it's a reasonable guideline to prevent documentation from piling up. I would be out of my mind with weeks of documentation stacking up on me. Not to mention everything would start to run together. In addition, it affects coordination of care and treatment if no one can read the most up to date history.

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