First day back after the conference. What a great time! This conference was
the second I attended and still when I left I felt energized and proud to be
a member of such a GREAT organization. All of the speakers were wonderful
and the information presented was truly useful. I still am confused as to
the clarifications coming out this month, however maybe they will be more
clear when we get the "hard copy".
Now for my question. While I was away enjoying the conference there was a
question with regards to the use and coding of half side rails. We use half
side rails on resident's with PEG tubes due to the increased risk for them
sliding sideways out of bed and due to the risk for involuntary movements,
(due to the need for elevation of the HOB >45*) I have always coded this in
section P4b due to the definition of side rails. I am now being told that
they are not to be coded in such a way. (My DON is an ex-surveyor) and she
says the surveyors will not "nail" us due to the use if they are used in
this fashion. I feel that even though the resident has no voluntary movement
and we use them for "bed boundaries" we still need to code them as they are.
What do you all think? Am I over thinking this or what? Any help would be
greatly appreciated. I am prepared this morning to show them the RAI
definition and would like a little more back up to present to the DON.
Thanks in advance!
Pam
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