ER weights

cari.merlina@uchealth.orgcari.merlina@uchealth.org
in CDI Talk Archive
Does anyone have issues with patient weights in the ER only being "stated"? We have 24 hr to complete IN Admission Assessment, so at times it is not done until the next morning. Meanwhile, for example, the patient needs tPA with weight-based dosing and we don't have an accurate weight. The ER is fighting that they don't feel they should need to actually get an accurate weight. Obviously if it's a code blue/emergency, that is not a priority. CDI also uses the initial weight to screen for BMI. Thanks.

Comments

  • katysuegood@gmail.comkatysuegood@gmail.com
    edited March 2016
    We have this issue too and I find it so strange. Our ED also doesn’t think they should have to get them which is funny to me because when I worked ED we weighed EVERYONE when we got their vitals unless they came in on a gurney or something emergent.

    But we have not won this battle. I think pharmacy has the most clout on this. They have the strongest argument. We are not going to convince them to do this because we need to calculate a BMI. Saying we need it for accurate med dosing is far more powerful....

    Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCDS, CCS
    Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
    Flagstaff Medical Center
    Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
    Cell: 928.814.9404


  • vanessa.falkoffvanessa.falkoff
    edited March 2016
    We usually get our info from dietary notes. I called ER and asked and was disappointed to learn that they often use a stated weight even though they do have gurneys with scales.

    Vanessa Falkoff RN
    Clinical Documentation Improvement Coordinator
    University Medical Center of Southern Nevada
    1800 W Charleston Blvd
    Las Vegas, NV
    vanessa.falkoff@umcsn.com
    office 702-383-7322

    Compassion * Accountability * Respect * Integrity



  • kwilliams@halifaxrmc.orgkwilliams@halifaxrmc.org
    edited March 2016
    Our facility has a team of "operation specialists" that transports all patients from one area to next for testing, etc. When the patient is ready to be released from the ER to go to the room assignment the operation specialist is responsible for obtaining the height and weight on that patient. They also enter this information into the computer.

    Kim Williams, RN
    Clinical Documentation Specialist
    Halifax Regional
    Revenue Management Department
    kwilliams@halifaxrmc.org
    (252) 535-8154
    (252) 535-8937 fax




    All of our beds have scales.

  • cari.merlina@uchealth.orgcari.merlina@uchealth.org
    edited March 2016
    Thanks, friends. I think I will get pharmacy involved with this.
    Cari
Sign In or Register to comment.