[Destinystar]

I would like to know how many of you out there sit down and read each and every care plan on each and everyone of your residents each and every day before you start work? I am not talking about getting report, or reading the assignment board.

Yes the RN nursing practice act mandates that we formulate one, and the state and federal regulations mandate that we develop one as well. Most of the care plans just duplicate what is already built into the standards of care, & the MD orders.

Do you think that the care plans in the residents medical records have a significant impact on the way you deliver nursing care?

[BRANDY LPN]

Nope, I think they were thought up by someone with entirely too much time on their hands and NO bedside experience.

[menaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

what I think it is that care plan is very important for the patient as well as for us. by care plan we will be able to give the right care for the patients as you know each patients need different care according to thier case, age...ect.

so, we have to write it daily.

[DG5]

Nope too. They sit in our computer and once every six months or so get updated with our care reviews. The RN's certainly don't use them on any significant PRACTICAL level. We have to have them for every resident and each nurse is given six or seven to update in the course of the year.

[Kimburly]

Not used by many at my workplace. We tell each other in report what the patient is there for, so why look at some piece of paper with vague nursing diagnoses that don't really tell you what you need to do anyway?

[Brickman]

But without careplans we wouldn't have anyplace to write the ever so helpful nursing diagnoses.

[myrenie]

We use care plans very consistantly in the LTC facility where I am employed. They each get up dated regularly, goals are realistic and individualized for each resident. We use a web based careplan program, and it prints the finished hardcopy.

Much easier then reinventing the wheel.

[BRANDY LPN]

Originally Posted by Brickman

But without careplans we wouldn't have anyplace to write the ever so helpful nursing diagnoses.

[TELEpathicRN]

In LTC we heavily rely on the care plan, they are extremely individualized and really give you a picture of each resident. No, we do not have time to sit down and read each and every care plan before we take care of a resident, but it is a good guidline. When I was in school I thought careplans were sooooo stupid, but after 7 yrs of nursing practice, I believe they help nurses develop thinking skills. Just my opinion....

[NursesRmofun]

Originally Posted by Destinystar

I would like to know how many of you out there sit down and read each and every care plan on each and everyone of your residents each and every day before you start work? I am not talking about getting report, or reading the assignment board.

Yes the RN nursing practice act mandates that we formulate one, and the state and federal regulations mandate that we develop one as well. Most of the care plans just duplicate what is already built into the standards of care, & the MD orders.

Do you think that the care plans in the residents medical records have a significant impact on the way you deliver nursing care?

Not sure how much good they are. We usually have the care plan in our heads. We don't need it on paper. Maybe it is supposed to help some of us focus on what needs to be done. And the ones who really need some of the info. is the CNAs.....the ones who don't see them and don't have the time to read them! Yes, it is frustrating.