Changeover

Whispera, MSN, RN · Apr 1, 2009

I might be glad it's over but I don't know what it is!

evilolive, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2009

If you don't know what it is, you're lucky!

I always hate when it's the end of the month... 11-7 gets to change over all the med/Tx/order sheets from one month to the next - then you get to attempt to file it. It's a royal pain in the butt (especially when the charts are already chock full and can't be opened without an explosion of orders and documentation flying at you!).

Took me ALL night long to finish it up... i've been lucky though, haven't had to do it in 3-4 months.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2009

Gosh, I used to hate it too. What stinks is that normally our checks are thrown together at the last minute and you really have to look at them when you change them over.

Yrs ago when I worked steady 11-7 I would make sure I looked at them a night or so before and did second checks on them and then just had to skim over the few residents that had new orders within the last day.

It would take me at least 2 shifts to put them away too. Now med records does that after checking them for holes.

evilolive, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2009

I wish my medical records lady would be that proactive! What sucks the most is when someone comes back after a hospitalization and any old treatments that have been ongoing for months don't get carried back over... boo!

It will probably take me through at least the end of the week to get all the filing done, especially with how thick some of these charts are.

jschut, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2009

I'm glad it's over. Didn't have to do it this month! We have some nurses that are notorious for "checking" the MARS against each other, and leaving new orders off.... that's always a pain.

As far as Medical Records filing? Bwwwwaaaahhhhaaaaahhhhaaaa!!!!!!:rotfl:

She has nursing do 98% of what our last medical records gal did to keep us all running smoothly.... we even have a file folder on the nursing desk that says, "We're all a team... please file..." Think anyone does? So that's yet ANOTHER chore stuck on 3rd shift.

Anyway, Yea, I'm glad change over is done this month.

bluegeegoo2, LPN · Apr 2, 2009

Every month I'm on for change-over, I have to fight the "change-over flu" so as not to put my co-workers in a bind. I will always show up, but I HATE IT!!!! Fortunately, my superviors "OK" scheduling an extra body to help. Anyway, yes, I'm glad it's over! Only 30 days until the next one...

311ltc · Apr 2, 2009

How many of you need to review the new records and sign off on them? We need to squeeze this in along with the regular shift work.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2009

What kills me is when they have an agency nurse (not an attack against them) scheduled for this shift. SRSLY, they are supposed to know what they are doing? I normally have to stay after my 3-11 to at least transfer things over or give them a good explaination.

evilolive, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2009

I have to sign off on the new month's order/record sheets. Usually there are a ton of spelling errors, repeat orders, and even stuff that did not get carried over prior to the 3rd week of the month (most orders after this have to be manually transcribed).

Thankfully, in the one year that I've been here, I've only made one changeover/med error. It's funny though, if you have your regular staff on that week after changeover, you'd think they'd catch a lot of the missing or wrong orders. Maybe it's just because I have a smaller med pass, but I immediately noticed something that wasn't even typed up from the 19th of the month (a new admit, when all her other admit orders were in place...)

bluegeegoo2, LPN · Apr 2, 2009

We have to initial and date every single page in the MAR/TAR's for the new month. It's distressing because I sometimes have to hunt down orders in the charts to verify a new order if there is a discrepancy between the handwritten old one and printed new one. There doesn't seem to be enough time in the shift to do a thorough change-over job as well as keep up on my regular duties. And naturally, we are held accountable for anything that is missed. I always hope and pray that no one falls, gets a ST, or goes bad on change-over night. Isn't that sad? "Gee, I hope the residents can handle themselves for a night, I have all of this paperwork to complete!". I understand that it is a necessary evil, and that I am accountable for my mistakes, (haven't had any yet, but...) but do wish there was a better way to get them done and still tend to my residents. Does anyone start a day or 2 early, then quick check on change-over night? Does that work better? I need a system to balance books with pt care. Maybe I'll try that next month. There HAS to be a solution!

retread71 · Apr 3, 2009

I hate changeover...with new orders, new shedule, and all.