Question

3. The nurse enters a patient's room to complete the discharge paperwork and finds the patient in tears. The patient reports that someone from the business office stated they could not leave the hospital until the bill was paid. What is the best nursing action?

a. Comfort the patient and continue the preparations for discharge.
b. Call the social worker for a financial evaluation.
c. Call the family to arrange for the payment.
d. Cancel the discharge plans and notify the physician of the situation.

Answer 1

The best nursing action when a patient is distressed about billing issues during discharge is to comfort the patient, continue with the discharge preparations, and refer the matter to the social worker for a financial evaluation and resolution.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse finds the patient in tears because they've been told they cannot leave the hospital until the bill is paid. The best nursing action in this situation is to comfort the patient and assure them that the hospital has policies in place to ensure patients are not held in the hospital due to billing issues. The nurse should then proceed with the discharge and contact the social worker for a financial evaluation to address any concerns regarding the bill. The social worker is trained to help patients navigate financial issues and can work with the business office to resolve any misunderstandings. It is important to maintain the patient's dignity and support their emotional well-being during the discharge process. While it's crucial to address the billing issue, it should not interfere with the medically appropriate discharge process. The nurse should recognize the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in patient care and involve other professionals like social workers, who specialize in offering support and resources to patients facing financial difficulties. This collaboration ensures a comprehensive care plan that addresses the patient's physical and emotional needs during the transition from hospital to home.