Grandma is in the local nursing home for rehab after she broke her hip. A pressure ulcer develops, or she gets a UTI, diabetes is uncontrolled or something else happens. Who is looking after her? WHO IS THE BOSS?
Well, the Medical Director of the nursing home is – right? Maybe. In a nursing home case I recently learned that the facility has form orders they use for almost every ailment – so, if pressure ulcer, nurses don’t call the physician, they look at the form. UTI, they don’t call the physician, they look at the form. Uncontrolled diabetes – the form will say what to do – look there first!
Why is this a problem? Who wrote the form? What if this patient’s symptoms are different? Is the physician aware of new treatments or does she rely on the form? Does the physician make sure the form is followed? If not, do they make sure the form is correct? If the form is treating your loved one, what is the point of the physician on staff? Just a thought – but one I share because it certainly scared me!