Do you chart on plain lined paper?

caliotter3 · Nov 13, 2011

We are told to make copies of blank agency forms when we run out. Of course, nobody says anything about reimbursing the nurses for out of pocket expenses.

Blackcat99 · Nov 13, 2011

Yes caliotter3. At this agency, I think they expect the nurses to go out and pay for copies of the needed paperwork themselves. I think the nurses are sending a message to this agency by charting on plain paper. I think the nurses are afraid to complain about the lack of nursing notes. :mad: After all, this agency, doesn't want to hear any kind of complaints. The nurses who complain about anything are punished with a reduction in their work hours. :uhoh3:

SDALPN · Nov 14, 2011

I agree with Blackcat 100%.

I worked at an agency that expected us to keep forms on our personal computers (they never asked us to have a computer or helped with expenses) and expected us to print out what we needed if we ran out and didn't have the forms we needed on the case. And we didn't dare say "not my job"...that didn't end well.

The worst part of the agency I'm with now is having to mail in notes. I have to provide my own envelopes and stamps or drive an hr and a half to drop them off. One agency I worked for was great about paperwork. They gave us a manila folder to put all the paperwork and notes in. Then once a week (usually Mondays) the nurse on the designated day would mail in the prestamped envelope from the patients home. The agency would mail out or have the supervisior deliver more paperwork as needed. almost never ran out unless a nurse failed to order more paperwork.

Unfortunately, there is no law or group I'm aware of that can make them provide nursing notes. The agencies will get away with whatever you let them get away with. You can always have the case moved to another/better agency. Or if its a larger agency, you can report them anonymously to the corporate office.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Nov 14, 2011

With my current hospice gig I have pdf's of all the paperwork so I always have plenty of copies in my folder. What I DO hate is when my coworkers are not as prepared and don't leave a copy of the notes ( they don't write any at all or not until they get home ) or they beg copies off me. I don't mind sharing but y'know you have to have some responsibility for yourself.

So far as printing goes I'm lucky I have a tank of a laser printer leftover from my business. With being able to get generic toner cartridges it costs be about $40 a year. I won't pay over $2 a ream for paper but normally I can get it free after rebate. Stamps and envelops well that I don't mind so much though I can fax my notes through and that's accepted.

If you don't have a pdf you can just scan one through then print to pdf on most computers.

If you can get your hands on some carbon copy notes hold them close to your chest as they can be used as bribes.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Nov 14, 2011

I should add I would never submit notes on plain lined paper because I feel it would reflect on me. I do have a few generic non company specific blanks I can print out. PM if you need them.

allnurses Guide · Nov 14, 2011

The nurses note situation has been an ongoing problem with the agencies. We had a problem with a couple of nurses who would do all their notes at once and leave us with 2 blank forms for the weekend and other inconsiderate behaviors. Then the agencies would complain about the cost and try to make us feel guilty for asking for such exotic equipment as a nurse's note to do our jobs. :uhoh21:

We would use xerox copies of blank forms when they ran out.

I finally gave up waiting to be reimbursed for postage and envelopes or for them to supply manila envelopes which was very hit or miss. I needed my paycheck.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Nov 14, 2011

I'll have to admit for one of my cases now a couple of years back I only stocked the folder with enough notes to get through the weekend. This was with an agency where you were to go to the office to pick up notes which when you work 9-5 M-F is hard to make it there during business hours. Anyways I would go pick someup, stock the binder full of like 100 pages. Get to work on the weekend ALL GONE!. Of course I was always trying to be the helpful one and repeated this several times with the same results. :/

Even in hospice I notice the nurses will strip the folder of all the carbon copies. Really? Seriously people? I know this wasn't my imagination since we occasionally get memos about it.

SDALPN · Nov 14, 2011

I have to scan and email my notes. Still have to mail them in after that. I wish these agencies would place one laptop and wireless router in each home (a small price to pay considering the moeny they make). Then we could write notes on the laptop and email them at the end of the shift. No getting lost in the mail and less expensive. Most people have internet in their home so a wireless router would make the most sense if one was not already in the home. Some companies are starting to offer deals to families with kids that are low income so they can have internet too.

As a bonus, the laptop could be used with software from PT/OT for patients with switches. It would also be a good resource for nurses needing to look up info for their patient in the home. It would also give the agency an out if they got sued and the nurse failed to use the resources given. All of that should be a selling point to the agencies.

There are locks for laptops so that the families would be unable to get in to the laptop or cause any damage. The families could also sign to take responsibility for damage to the laptop caused by them.

No more paperwork, no more missing forms, no more lost mail, no more hand cramps from documenting the same thing in 20 places, no more buying pens/ink, no more not getting paid because notes didn't make it to the office!!!

ventmommy · Nov 14, 2011

This thread makes me appreciate our agency. Our ADON comes out every two weeks. If we are low on something, any of the nurses can text her and she will bring out more of whatever it is. There are large stamped envelopes for mailing in once per week. The nurse just sticks it in my mailbox. The agency provides pens, forms, binders and a nice plastic box to keep it all in so there is no clutter.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Nov 14, 2011

I have to scan and email my notes. Still have to mail them in after that. I wish these agencies would place one laptop and wireless router in each home (a small price to pay considering the moeny they make). Then we could write notes on the laptop and email them at the end of the shift. No getting lost in the mail and less expensive. Most people have internet in their home so a wireless router would make the most sense if one was not already in the home. Some companies are starting to offer deals to families with kids that are low income so they can have internet too.
As a bonus, the laptop could be used with software from PT/OT for patients with switches. It would also be a good resource for nurses needing to look up info for their patient in the home. It would also give the agency an out if they got sued and the nurse failed to use the resources given. All of that should be a selling point to the agencies.
There are locks for laptops so that the families would be unable to get in to the laptop or cause any damage. The families could also sign to take responsibility for damage to the laptop caused by them.
No more paperwork, no more missing forms, no more lost mail, no more hand cramps from documenting the same thing in 20 places, no more buying pens/ink, no more not getting paid because notes didn't make it to the office!!!

Oh! You want them to do something pro staff that would make your life easier? LOL

allnurses Guide · Nov 14, 2011

Toothepointe - I worked weekends so I could gaurd the supply :) -- it got to the point with a couple of people doing that we instituted a "count" that worked (sort of) for a while. People began to hoard their notes. It was all so silly, really. Our "communication notebook" began to look like the Jerry Springer Show notebook. It got much better when one nurse left who was bad news in a lot of ways. She just didn't care.

The laptop idea is a good one. In the area I work(ed) in, though I'm afraid the client's family members or their "friends" would do like they do on "America's Dumbest Criminals" shows where they do stuff like try to pull an entire ATM out of a wall with a pickup truck attached to a chain and drive away with it. In other words - sadly they would try to steal it.

What a great agency you have, ventmommy. At two larger agencies I never saw the DONs for at least 6 months. The smaller agencies seem to offer the best potential for being decent if you're lucky enough to find one. Where I live they are constantly buying, selling, merging and renaming the small agencies.