travel charts for home health

[luvncare]

Our agency has been advised to start using travel charts. No one in our agency is familiar with them. I would like to get input as far as pros and cons go. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!:) :)

[caliotter3]

What is a travel chart?

[sunnygirl272]

yeah, what is a travel chart?

we use laptops for documentation.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

Okay here is a travel chart and what you need to do with it. Keep the 485, the intake and med profile in a manilla folder on each patient. Keep all the folders in sometype of file, I use a portable file box with a lid, in your car and when you go in the house only take that clients folder with you. Do not take the whole box or you could violate confidentiality on patient data which is especially important with all the HIPPA stuff going down. When the case is closed shred the documents.........I usely keep the folder till the chart passes QI inspection in case I need information of my paperwork. I also keep running lab copies or a lab log for like coumadin dose changes. Does that help? I have been in home health 11 years and always carry a file like that on each client. If I transfer the client to another RN I give them the file. I write on the inside cover anything pertinent like dr. appointments and important numbers or contacts at Dr. offices....

renerian

renerian

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

In my agency, we have two charts. The travel chart and the perm record. The perm record has all the signed orders when they come back from the doc, and most of our paperwork is carbon copy paper, one copy for the travel chart, one copy for the perm rec.

The travel chart is a mini-chart, meant to go on the road. If you had an accident, lost the chart, or the chart was otherwise destroyed, they still have the perm rec w everything in it.

I also used to keep a small folder with all my pt info in it. I would copy the orig ref, the intake info, med list, emerg contact list. THat way, If I was on the road, and one of my pt's called and needed a nurse, I could have their number right there, doc's number, etc... These files were only about 4 or 5 pages I stapled together. Better than carrying 36 travel charts w me. Then I could always do follow-ups from home if I checked VM from home too, had all my info.

For those lucky enough to have agencies who aren't too cheap to invest in laptops, you wouldn't need a travel chart. I am green w envy!!!