Documentation

1. Documentation NUR101 Lecture #5 Fall 2008 K. Burger, MSED, MSN, RN, CNE PPP by S. Niggemeier, MSN, BSN, RN

2. Supports Nsg actions indicates client’s condition Primary communication tool Legal protection Reimbursement Education Quality Assurance Research Historic and legal document Decision analysis Purpose of Documentation

3. Nurses Notes Flow sheets Graphics Nursing Care Plans Caremaps Critical Pathways Computer charting Types of Documentation

4. Traditional (source oriented client record) Problem Oriented Medical Record (POMR)-SOAP-PIE-Focus DAR Charting by exception Methods of Documentation

5. Documentation • NN (nurses notes) best assessment of pt. care. Most used section of the medical record in legal cases • Documentation or Charting is a skill • Record of pt.’s condition, activities and events that occurred to the PATIENT. • Not a diary of your activities. • Includes Subjective & Objective info

6. Documentation • Chart facts, not your opinion • Use quotations if pt. said it. • Be specific!! Using nonspecific terms implies doubt about your knowledge. i.e. appears/seems/tolerated well etc. • In most cases when care or observations are not charted it means it wasn’t done • ABC’s: Accuracy/Brevity/Completeness

7. Guidelines for Documentation: Content • Focus on pt. • Not a novel or essay • Use short sentences • Abbreviations • Symbols • Don’t need to use word pt.

8. Guidelines for Documentation: Timing • Chart as soon as possible after care/observations • NEVER chart what you plan to do • Date & time each entry in the margin

9. Guidelines for Documentation: Format • Use forms as per agency policy(i.e. flow sheets, graphic sheet, NCP, progress notes) • Follow agency guidelines regarding color ink, approved abbreviations, format of time (i.e. military/standard) • Write LEGIBLY-questionable info implies doubt suggests you lack reasonable knowledge • NEVER skip lines!! • Use correct grammar/spelling

10. Guidelines for Documentation: Accountability • Record is permanent • Sign full name and title • No erasures • Do Not write ERROR for a mistake • Single line thru mistake, print “Mistaken Entry” or ME (if acceptable) above or next to mistake, enter correction, initial & date per policy

11. Guidelines for Documentation: Confidentiality • Students only use patient initials on assignments • Only caregivers need to know info in chart • Follow facility policy for pt. review of chart.

12. Hospitals- computers Home care- laptops Telephone orders Other Guidelines for Documentation