Checking orders

[nursedanny614]

How often do you check the mars and the charts for doctor's orders during a shift. Is every hour enough?

[SnowboardRN]

Everytime I sign onto the computer there is a Changes selection at the top with a number next to it that tells me how many changes have been made recently. When I click on it, it tells me what the changes are.

For in the chart orders, I always look after I see the doctor leave.

I'm not sure there is a specific policy of how often we are supposed to look, if so I've never heard it!

[loriangel14, RN]

The policy for one hospital where I work med-surg states every 2 hours.

How many patients do you have? How frequent are their vitals? I'm trying to get an idea of acuity.

Usually 5-7 patients. Vitals are q shift usually. Sometimes daily.26 bed unit.

[hodgieRN]

Our policy states to check orders every 1-2 hrs.

[Morainey, BSN, RN]

6 MARs sound like the worst thing in the world. Unless they are organized with tabs or something like that so it is easy to find something quickly. Anyway, we are alerted to new orders with a thing that pops up to acknowledge orders.