Patients who are frequently readmitted to unit

[iggyrn]

I'm wondering what strategies your unit uses to deal with those patients who are frequently readmitted,sometimes within days of discharge from the hospital? We have 5 levels of care and I work on the highest functioning level.

[3boyzmom_1]

I think that must be a problem on every psych unit. We had a number of repeaters where I worked for many years. I think that for the most part, it was a transferrence issue- we became their family- a place where they felt safe and cared for. It's sad, if the only place you can feel that is in the hospital. What we did was to talk openly about this issue with the patient, and keep each admission as short as possible, just for "crisis resolution". Eventually most of them would at least be able to hold out longer between admissions.

[hsieh]

there's nothing a "unit" can do to stop readmissions. the psychiatrist is the one who admits them. the prob is the psychiatrist not the "unit".

[HeyFraydo]

It requires a plan invloving the whole Team. If it doesn't include the Psychiatrists, Screening, ER, Management, Staff etc it is not the whole team and will not work. Some patients may require long term care if outpatient management is not being effective or used or available.

CJ

www.TravelNurseToolbox.com

[hppygr8ful]

I'm wondering what strategies your unit uses to deal with those patients who are frequently readmitted,sometimes within days of discharge from the hospital? We have 5 levels of care and I work on the highest functioning level.

Just wanted to share that one of my frequent flyers was found dead on a beach in So.California this weekend. She had been into the hospital 8 times since January '07. She was bi-polar and a drug user - but also a likeable person. Just felt that I would share since we sometimes forget that our frequent patients are people too. They don't make up their illness and they never asked to be sick. Illegal drugs is how they medicate outside the hospital. I always remember that she always felt safe while in the facility!

Hppy

[makemaproud]

Just wanted to share that one of my frequent flyers was found dead on a beach in So.California this weekend. She had been into the hospital 8 times since January '07. She was bi-polar and a drug user - but also a likeable person. Just felt that I would share since we sometimes forget that our frequent patients are people too. They don't make up their illness and they never asked to be sick. Illegal drugs is how they medicate outside the hospital. I always remember that she always felt safe while in the facility!

Hppy

Hi, there~ You sound like a very compassionate human being. I am currently applying for reinstatement of my nursing license in NJ. I was fired from my job as a staff nurse of 32 years on a mother/baby unit. The reason was I was diverting percocet for about 6 months and was confronted by a hospital investigator. I immediately surrendered my license and entered an intensive outpatient program for 10 weeks. I attend daily 12-step meetings, and have a sponsor. I also attend nurse peer support meetings. I have a 5 year contract with RAMP of NJ (recovery and monitoring program), and have to call in daily for random drug screens through First Lab. On April 13th,2007 my case will go before the BON, and they will decide at that time whether they will give me a restricted license back. I am so stressed out about applying for a job and having to disclose my situation. I also have no idea what sort of nursing jobs are out there for nurses who can't have access to mood altering substances. Can you give me any advice? I have a AAS degree in nursing and a BA degree in psychology. Are there nursing jobs out there in a psych setting for nurses who are not allowed to administer drugs? I don't have any experience working in a psych setting. Do you know if it would be difficult for someone in my situation to get a job in a psych setting? I'd love to hear back from you, I like your compassionate & rational take on things. Could you e-mail me ? Thanks~ kmurphy0208@hotmail.com

[hppygr8ful]

Hi, there~ You sound like a very compassionate human being. I am currently applying for reinstatement of my nursing license in NJ. I was fired from my job as a staff nurse of 32 years on a mother/baby unit. The reason was I was diverting percocet for about 6 months and was confronted by a hospital investigator. I immediately surrendered my license and entered an intensive outpatient program for 10 weeks. I attend daily 12-step meetings, and have a sponsor. I also attend nurse peer support meetings. I have a 5 year contract with RAMP of NJ (recovery and monitoring program), and have to call in daily for random drug screens through First Lab. On April 13th,2007 my case will go before the BON, and they will decide at that time whether they will give me a restricted license back. I am so stressed out about applying for a job and having to disclose my situation. I also have no idea what sort of nursing jobs are out there for nurses who can't have access to mood altering substances. Can you give me any advice? I have a AAS degree in nursing and a BA degree in psychology. Are there nursing jobs out there in a psych setting for nurses who are not allowed to administer drugs? I don't have any experience working in a psych setting. Do you know if it would be difficult for someone in my situation to get a job in a psych setting? I'd love to hear back from you, I like your compassionate & rational take on things. Could you e-mail me ? Thanks~ kmurphy0208@hotmail.com

Interesting enough, I too am a nurse in recovery. I have about a year left on my monitoring program with the California BRN so I know what you are talking about. The hospital I work at is extremely diversion friendly. I actually went to work there after I completed their outpatient program and was approved to return to non patient care. I have been there almost two years and have all my priviliges back. I probably would never have entered psych had I not recieved the gift of my sobriety through prayer, acceptance and willingness I would never be where I am today.

In California you don't have to reveal that you are in diversion/Probation until you have been offered a job. I however felt that this was disengenous and told my interviewer about my addiction and my recovery - She smiled said "That's wonderful" and gave me a job at a competative salary.
When you apply and are interviewed if you reveal your situation my advice is to stick to the fact, no need to go into the gory details. If it is meant to be it will happen. I would be happy to correspond with you you can e-mail me a zachsmom12802@yahoo.com

Peace and Namaste

Hppy