Re: LPN's

[nursejane]

Bless you Karen! I have been the assessment coordinator in my facility for 15 years. I have beem doing MDS and PPS since inception and am the Medicare case manager for our building. I trained the RNs and the other LPN who work with me and have trained some of the RNs in our other buildings. Yes, I have an RN who signs R2b and VB2 and when she signs mine she knows that they are both complete and accurate. Care plans are effective and outcomes usually what we are looking for. I am very good at what I do and take a great deal of pride in doing it to the best of my ability. The bottom line is that my residents come first. I am continuously learning and I even read the MDS manual, sometimes on a regular basis. I don't presume to know everything and am not afraid to search for answers. I became an RAC-C in July of 2003 and have returned to school for my RN after 27 years as an LPN. No one should be afraid to have an LPN do MDS if they are interested and taught well. I receive great support from our regional office and Senior Consultant. As an aside, it is sometimes hard to find an RN willing to do this in our area. Turn over in many Michigan SNFs is tremendous. Those of you doing this know that it isn't easy, and usually a thankless job. I am here to stay.  Jane Barbour LPN RAC-C                       ---- Original Message ----- From: Thompson, Karen (Kodiak) To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' Sent: Monday, January 19, 2004 6:08 PM Subject: RE: LPN's Lpns doing MDS is a great thing.  If you trust them to do every other aspect of documentation and care why not?  having all licensed staff understand the MDS process only increases your quality of care and documentation.  we have taught a portion to the CNAs.  It has become such an albatross and seen as this huge responsibility to be held by only one ore two persons.  Everyone needs to lighten up on this and use it for what it was meant to do. Assess and implement qualtiy care.  Every member of the facility should know how it works and what it is suppose to do.  -----Original Message----- From: Roe Heckman [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, January 19, 2004 2:05 PM To: AANAC ? Subject: LPN's What do you feel about LPN's doing MDS's, RAPS and Care Plans and RN signing off?  This may change as of April 1 and was wondering how many facilities utilize LPN's in the MDS process.  What kind of impact would this have in Ohio if restaffing would be necessary?   This message is intended for the sole use of the individual to whom it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the addressee you are hereby notified that you may not use, copy, disclose, or distribute to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received this message in error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete this message.