Re: Rehab Low Category

[Gail Neustadt]

Delores, I think that the therapists have some problems understanding that Restorative plays an important role during ongoing rehab. Many therapists 1. fear for the safety of the resident but need to ask restorative nurses to carry out unskilled procedures that supplement what they are doing and 2. the therapists are afraid that if restorative can function independently then Medicare might question the need for skilled services. However the restorative nurses are under the direction of a licensed nurse and also taking direction from rehab. Does this sound logical or convoluted???!!!   Gail Neustadt, NHA ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, March 15, 2004 7:32 PM Subject: Re: Rehab Low Category Gail, I agree completely.  However, my experience has been that restorative nursing is never involved until the day the therapy discontinued.  I have been trying to  get clients to understand that just because the resident is treated by a therapist that does not preclude  practicing with nursing. I never could understand how residents were supposed to sustain goals when they only receive therapy with no practice sessions with nursing. Can you learn to play an instrument just by going to lessons? Delores Having Restorative involved in the early stages of therapy helps to transition to Rehab Low at the appropriate time. Remember that you need to have two Restorative Programs and a formal Toileting Plan can count as one and at least 45 minutes of skilled rehab services (any combination) at least 3 dys acrosss 7.  As far as the ARD,  just follow the schedule and the grouper will adjust the RUG to RL. I like to use the RL category either at the beginning of the resident's stay if the resident is too weak to participate in a more rigerous therapy program and build minutes up or at the end of treatment to assure that the program when discharged is safe and effective! Delores L. Galias, RN, RHIT STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY: The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this message are intended for the exclusive use of the addressee(s) and may contain confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify D. Galias, RN, RHIT immediately at [EMAIL PROTECTED] and destroy all copies of this message and any attachments.  Thank you for your cooperation