A Cheat Sheet ??

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??

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!!

"Karen

Failure is NOT an option!!"

Just curious, Why is Failure not an option?

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.

"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!!

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.