by dpaprn

As a new critical care RN, I'm having a hard time transitioning from Med Surg to ICU. I need help organizing my thoughts to take report and then to give report at shift end. Does anyone have shift report forms that might be helpful? Thanks!

In our units we use "report cards". They are about 4 x 6 and made of card stock (like an index card), our print shop makes them up for us. We put all the pertinant patient information on the front: name, age, dr., diagnosis, surgeries, history, lines, vent, etc. On the back we put a short synopsis of each shift's happenings. No one has to write everything EVERY day, it's all right there on the card.

Just decide how you would want one to look. Then talk with your co-workers and see if they have any ideas on what to add. Then, see if your department manager can get some printed up for you. I find them quite handy. Although, some staff are reluctant to use them for the first time: "something else you have to write on".

Good luck!!

Originally posted by justanurse:
In our units we use "report cards". They are about 4 x 6 and made of card stock (like an index card), our print shop makes them up for us. We put all the pertinant patient information on the front: name, age, dr., diagnosis, surgeries, history, lines, vent, etc. On the back we put a short synopsis of each shift's happenings. No one has to write everything EVERY day, it's all right there on the card.

Just decide how you would want one to look. Then talk with your co-workers and see if they have any ideas on what to add. Then, see if your department manager can get some printed up for you. I find them quite handy. Although, some staff are reluctant to use them for the first time: "something else you have to write on".

Good luck!!