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My elderly parent was transported by ambulance 4 days ago to the nearest ER…then transferred to the hospital… diagnosis is UTI, had MRI of the brain and abdominal CT scan… has kidney cysts, and a brain arteriovenus... iron levels low and hemoglobin... possible colon cancer but because of the age, risk outweighs benefit… endoscopy is recommended… but when a family member was not in the room parent said “No” but parent does not understand the procedure completely… has MCI… hospital has not changed status going on fifth day???

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I'd demand the hospital get your mom OFF of 'observation' status and admitted for a reason of some sort so further testing can happen!! Many Medicare plans will NOT PAY for 'observation' codes for hospitalization!! Get into advocacy status right away! Speak to the PCP or the hospitalist; demand answers! Get the endoscopy done by giving your okay (assuming you have medical POA). A Colonoscopy can be more dangerous than helpful due to her age, although I have no idea how an endoscopy could diagnose colon cancer, if that's what is going on. The patient advocate is 'passing the buck' over to the PCP for the 'status' matter, so raise hell with the PCP (if he's even affiliated with this hospital), that's what I'd do, but I have a big mouth and I don't apologize for it. Make it known to the hospital staff that mom suffers from cognitive impairment and is NOT to make her own decisions here, obviously, that you are her spokesperson moving forward. With this many medical conditions possibly pending, it's obvious she needs to be fully admitted so further testing can be completed and a diagnosis can be forthcoming.

I have seen nothing but BAD patient care lately for seniors in the hospital, which makes my blood boil! I'm so sorry you're going thru all of this with your dear mom and I sincerely hope you can get the answers both of you deserve. Sending prayers your way that God intervenes and helps you and mom in this situation.
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I would be in the administration office demanding to know why my loved one hasn't been admitted. She won't be eligible for rehab without being admitted and the longer she lays in bed the more likely she will need some rehab.

Advocate for her.
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When I was an RN in California lo those many years ago observation was not allowed for more than 24 hours. That's why the hospital was so anxious to corkscrew patients out before 24 hours was up. Once past that the patient would be "admitted " or "discharged" pretty much by law. This not admitting but keeping the patient is unknown to me. No one could afford the cost of this many days in hospital. Time to talk to whoever is case manager directly. Tell them you are headed next to JCAHO, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals with a complaint, and DO IT.
"Writing the complaint: Be as specific as possible in no more than two pages and provide the name, address, city and state of the accredited hospital. For more information, call the Joint Commission's toll-free number: 800-994-6610, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM CST."
The above is from online. Tell them you are calling and DO IT.
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There very strict restrictions for admitting patients to a hospital. Many conditions have to be met. An inappropriate admission won't be covered by insurance or Medicare, and the family will be responsible for paying the bill. Many insurances do cover for observation status. Depending on the patient's age and medical condition, invasive tests might not be performed based on risks and whether follow-up surgical procedures would be worthless or not performed. Many invasive diagnostic procedures are not carried out after a certain age, because they will serve no purpose, since major surgical procedures won't be performed anyway. Assuming they found cancer, and the life expectancy is only a few more years. What will be the point in treating such cancer? The patient will die before the cancer kills him or her. Reality can be blunt, but that's reality and there is no escape from it.
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This is posted under "depression". Apparently this is quite serious, as it is rare to stay in this long.
Are you the POA?
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Wriggley Mar 2022
Hi I added more information to my post regarding my 85 year Mom who is still in “observation” status vs “inpatient” status…not familiar with the forum too much but put more information on the page where my original inquiry was…thank you..worried daughter
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A little m ore info would help. Actually a lot more would be of help.
Why are they under observation?
What is the potential diagnosis?
Do you know what the delay is in diagnosing?
What does their Primary Care Physician say?
Have you talked to a Social Worker about the situation?
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Sorry…clicked “Depression” by accident…my elderly parent was transported by ambulance 4 days ago the nearest ER…then transferred to the hospital…diagnosis is UTI, had MRI of the brain and abdominal CT scan…has kidney cysts, and a brain arteriovenus..iron levels low and hemoglobin..possible colon cancer but because of the age risk outweighs benefit…endoscopy is recommended…but when a family member was not in the room parent said “No” but parent does not understand the procedure completely…has MCI…hospital has not changed status going on fifth day???
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Colonoscopy is not recommended…very weak…needs endoscopy first…PCP says the hospital makes the decision on observation versus inpatient status…then patient advocate says it is PCP decision..
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Maggie61r Mar 2022
Oh my, welcome to the world of 'he said, she said" and nobody wants to take responsibility. Perhaps talk to the patient advocate, nurse or doctor and ask to be transferred to another hospital since nothing is being done for her and she's been in "observation limbo" for over 4 days and nobody has any answers when you ask when or if she will be admitted.

I'm sorry you're going through this. My experience has been that it is nearly impossible to get any solid answers when a LO is hospitalized and when you do find out anything, like your situation - all you want to know is who do you speak to to find out if she will be admitted - everybody passes the buck and nobody commits to an answer.

I hope you get answers soon.
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The easiest way for the hospital would be to admit the patient. There most be a very compelling reason as to why the patient doesn't qualify for admission. Hospital admissions have changed drastically in the last few decades. Hospitals are now acute care facilities. Patients are discharged as soon as the acute condition has been controlled. Chronic cases are sent somewhere or just kept in observation until it's determined if they meet or not the requirements for admission.
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AlvaDeer Mar 2022
I have never heard of no admission after 4 days. Never. There are state rules about admission, not federal, but federal rules about medicare and what/when it covers. May not cover after 24 hours for observation. Something is wrong here with this whole thing. It needs to be run through JCAHO which accredits hospitals.
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No endoscopy.
A PET scan can diagnose cancer.
Get the patient admitted or transferred to a better hospital, like the Mayo clinic.

Otherwise, get her admitted to hospital on hospice.

I could be wrong.
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TChamp Mar 2022
It's not the decision of the family that gets the patient admitted. It's the hospital that decides if the patient meets or not the strict criteria for admission. Cancer is not always a reason for admission. If the cancer is too advanced, or if the patient is too old, they are sent directly to hospice. If the patient is too old, it's a waste of resources trying to diagnose cancer, which even if found, it won't be treated anyway. All hospitals in the U.S. have the same criteria for admission even if you offer to pay from your own pocket.
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