Back
when I was still an orthopaedic nurse, the rule was if they walked before hip
fracture, they could walk after...Has something changed since then? I am
surprised that the rehab dept of all places would come up with such an
excuse given that their profession(s) work with disabled populations of all
types. I would be thinking in terms of consistent and effective pain
management, playing to the individual's communication strengths and a lot of
follow up on the floor to complement the actual therapy sessions.
MCI
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of Libby Cawthorn
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2004 8:56 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Mentally Challenged Residents
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of Libby Cawthorn
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2004 8:56 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Mentally Challenged Residents
We are a hospital
based SNF, Medicare only and geared mostly towards short time rehab. I eval'd a
mentally challenged 44 year old female and she meets the criteria for admission.
The problem is our therapy dept. is hesitant about her due to her mental defect
and feel she is not teachable. This patient attends an Adult Day Care program
and lives at home with her father who is very supportive. She ambulated
independantly before fracturing her hip in a fall. Admission is my decision but
I am not sure what to do in this situation. How do other facilities handle the
mentally challenged and patients with Alzheimer's that need rehab following
ortho surgery? I feel like we take only "the cream of the crop" and leave the
ones who could really benefit from our services out there to become someone
else's problem. I don't want to admit her and then have therapy eval and
discharge.
Libby Cawthorn, RN
Director/MDS Coordinator
SNF
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 Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. immediately at either (617) 542-6000 or at [EMAIL PROTECTED], and destroy all copies of this message and any attachments.
