Hello,
I code for a Level 4 RHC..... We see a lot of patients for chemotherapy that are referred to us from bigger hospitals. The patients usually have PORT's/PICC's and have LABS drawn the day before their chemotherapy treatments at our facility.
The question is, Does Heparin require a physicians order? Our Nursing dept is saying it's "protocol" and we are not required to have a physician order to administer Heparin.
I know that we can not bill separately for Heparin - But wouldn't it still require a physicians order?
Or at the very least require the PORT/PICC line care to be included in the chemotherapy order and include the administration of Heparin or any other PRN Rx's for the PORT/PICC line care and maintenance?
I am under the impression that you need a physicians order for anything you administer into a patients body regardless if it is considered "routine" or per "protocol" ...and who's "protocol" because it's not ordered by the physician?
If anyone has dealt with this before or has any reputable references that I can show would be so GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!
Thank you!!!!!
I code for a Level 4 RHC..... We see a lot of patients for chemotherapy that are referred to us from bigger hospitals. The patients usually have PORT's/PICC's and have LABS drawn the day before their chemotherapy treatments at our facility.
The question is, Does Heparin require a physicians order? Our Nursing dept is saying it's "protocol" and we are not required to have a physician order to administer Heparin.
I know that we can not bill separately for Heparin - But wouldn't it still require a physicians order?
Or at the very least require the PORT/PICC line care to be included in the chemotherapy order and include the administration of Heparin or any other PRN Rx's for the PORT/PICC line care and maintenance?
I am under the impression that you need a physicians order for anything you administer into a patients body regardless if it is considered "routine" or per "protocol" ...and who's "protocol" because it's not ordered by the physician?
If anyone has dealt with this before or has any reputable references that I can show would be so GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!
Thank you!!!!!