[kwagner_51]

I have my own cheat sheets to help with pt care. what I would like to know is, do you have a cheat sheet that informs of each pt's dx, new things that happened to them, why they are on IV's, what new tx's, sort of a report sheet?

I was on vaction for a week and things changed drastically on the unit I covered for the last 2 nocs.

For example: One pt now has hospice 24/7. Another pt died unexpectedly. Another one fell FOUR times in the space of 8 hrs. When I called the DON she said the care plan for him was to allow falls but to keep him from injury!!

Basically, I went into work blind with no idea what was wrong with any of my pts.

Thanks!!

_________________________

In His Grace,

Karen

Failure is NOT an option!!

[banditrn]

Yes, I made my own cheat sheets, and keep them on my computer and update them as neccessary.

It shows the room # and anything pertinent that I do for that room, such as blood sugars, med times, neb treatments, etc. I also have room for their vitals and to note if they were given pain meds.

Altho our facility is small, with only 40 patients, it helps me keep organized. I flip thru the Mar at the beginning of each shift to see if anything has changed or been added.

BTW - how can you allow a pt. to fall, but avoid injury??

[kwagner_51]

Originally Posted by banditrn

Yes, I made my own cheat sheets, and keep them on my computer and update them as neccessary.

It shows the room # and anything pertinent that I do for that room, such as blood sugars, med times, neb treatments, etc. I also have room for their vitals and to note if they were given pain meds.

Altho our facility is small, with only 40 patients, it helps me keep organized. I flip thru the Mar at the beginning of each shift to see if anything has changed or been added.

BTW - how can you allow a pt. to fall, but avoid injury??

I also have my own cheat sheets for each unit I work in. Unfortunately, this doesn't help for updated conditions.

For example, I was off for 1 week and this is the report I got: Number 22 is ok. [In reallity he had a stroke and is now experiencing muscle spasms on the affected side.]

Num. 30 is fine, no problems, [In reality, the dr d/ced his PRN ativan, and he fell 4 times in the space of 4 hrs.] I guess he falls alot so we are to allow the falls and hope he doesn't hurt himself!! What a bunch of crap!! This order came from the DON.

Num. 38 is actively dying and has hospice CNA in there. [ NO explaination on what I am supposed to do for the man. [I replaced the 9 volt battery in his PCA pump and assessed him but that was all I did.]

I got report one night that everyone was fine only to realize that num. 24 was in the hospital.

At 3 AM Sunday, I found out that num 36 Has Hep A!! I am NOT getting pertinate info for my pts and I am putting myself and my family in grave danger!!

I'm going to quit this place if things do not improve!!

__________________________

In His Grace,

Karen

Failure is NOT an option!!

[achot chavi]

"Karen

Failure is NOT an option!!"
Just curious, Why is Failure not an option?

[Julielpn]

Originally Posted by banditrn

Yes, I made my own cheat sheets, and keep them on my computer and update them as neccessary.

It shows the room # and anything pertinent that I do for that room, such as blood sugars, med times, neb treatments, etc. I also have room for their vitals and to note if they were given pain meds.

This is what I do too. I have my own sheets that I use, as opposed to the little square boxes that are the facility sheets.
Oh! I almost forgot...since I only work weekends, I also remind the nurse I am taking over for that I haven't been there in a week, and need to know if anything interesting has happened since the previous week.

[kwagner_51]

Originally Posted by achot chavi

"Karen

Failure is NOT an option!!"
Just curious, Why is Failure not an option?

Failure is NOT an option because I keep trying, even if I had a set back. Once a person accepts failure as an option, the ambition to do better and keep trying is dead.

Actually, the quote is a direct line from Gene Kranz on the movie "Apollo 13."

Hope this explains it.

___________________________

In His Grace,

Karen

Failure is NOT an option!!

[emtrachel]

Originally Posted by banditrn

BTW - how can you allow a pt. to fall, but avoid injury??

I know it's a different environment, but in a group home that I worked in we had a gentleman who had a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and a low bed all due to intentional falls (mostly behavioral). It was by physician's order, had guardian approval, had approval of a human rights committee and was in a care plan. We continued to provide training on safety too. With all this implemented, he eventually decided falling wasn't as fun.