Can you write a word "error" when correcting mistake in charting?

[Ms.RN]

hello

i was told from my nursing instructor that when nurses make a writing mistake when they are charting, they need to draw one line across mistake and initial it, but never write a word "error" above the crossed word because a word "error" draws attention to it. is it true or not true? how do you guys correct mistakes in charting? is there a legality in writing a word error?

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

I was taught to write 'error' but most times it takes up space I don't have (like on MAR's or PRN discriptions on the back of MAR's). So I quit doing it. A single line (which I have to watch..I tend to do a loopty loop cross out..LOL!) with my initials after seems to be working just fine:). Haven't heard any complaints at least, and I have gone through 2 BON audits in my facility.

[TJNurse]

I just graduated in August and was taught by an instructor to write "omit" rather than "error". :)

[begalli]

We have computer charting. When we change or delete something we add a comment like charting correction or error or charting error. I don't feel comfortable not explaining why I changed or deleted something. This a hospital policy for the units that have computer charting.

btw, when we change or delete something it doesn't go away, it is still there, but with the comment added to it.

[saskrn]

We have computer charting. When we change or delete something we add a comment like charting correction or error or charting error. I don't feel comfortable not explaining why I changed or deleted something. This a hospital policy for the units that have computer charting.

btw, when we change or delete something it doesn't go away, it is still there, but with the comment added to it.

That has been my experience, as well.

[begalli]

Oh my goodness, one time I was storing my information in my computer charting and entered the wrong password as I was storing. It turned out to be another RN's password and everything I charted looked like it was signed by her (she wasn't even working that shift)!!!!

I had to go in and change pages and pages of charting one item at a time and add a comment explaining what happened (it was a paragraph!)! Changing some elses computer charting is a BIG no-no. What a mess.

Needless to say we both changed our passwords. :stone

[saskrn]

Oh my goodness, one time I was storing my information in my computer charting and entered the wrong password as I was storing. It turned out to be another RN's password and everything I charted looked like it was signed by her (she wasn't even working that shift)!!!!

I had to go in and change pages and pages of charting one item at a time and add a comment explaining what happened (it was a paragraph!)! Changing some elses computer charting is a BIG no-no. What a mess.

Needless to say we both changed our passwords. :stone

What a nightmare. What are the odds that you would pick her password. Good grief!

[begalli]

I know!! Isn't that insane! There was a one digit difference in our passwords.

[lisamc1RN, LPN]

We are taught to draw a line through it and write error. If it is the wrong patient, write "wrong pt."

[leslie :-D]

i was initially taught to draw a line through and write error.

then i was taught to draw a line an write "mistaken entry".

the latest is to draw a line and write 'omit' with your initials.

leslie

[adidas99]

I was always told to draw 1 line thru it, write error above it, with my initals beside it.

[HappyNurse2005, RN]

im in 4th semester and at first we were taught to cross out with one line so its still read-able and write "error". just last semester I did that while charting at clinical and was told by my clinical instructor and staff nurse that the new thing they do now is "mistaken entry", supposedly it sounds better than "error". i've not heard anyone around here say to write "omit" yet, but where im at clinical now, its computer charting

[Nesher, BSN, RN]

I'm from the era of writing error after drawing a line through it.

Course now I don't as we chart on line...