Charting guidelines

[curiousauntie]

I am still a relatively new hospice nurse. I was wondering if any of you know where I could find pocket-sized charting guidelines. You know, the "cheat sheet" cards that I can carry with me daily that would remind me to chart about the necessary items for different diagnoses. Preferably not too heavy (I seem to be building funny muscles slinging that bag into my car and over my shoulder many times a day!). I worked many years in sub-acute and we had cheat sheets for each diagnosis so we would remember to include the necessary information in our daily charting to satisfy Medicare. I am sure these are out there for hospice, but have not found them yet. Thanks everyone. I love this site and have learned a lot in the past year I have been visiting.

[dosamigos76, RN]

I have used the diagnostic guidlines for the dx...some companies have a flip chart or a clipboard with the criteria on it. Check with your marketing dept to see if they have something similar. And remember that "slowly declining" can be your friend. Remember to chart any differences, look at weight, breathing, activity level, fatigue, intake, pain, all of that. You are painting a picture.

HTH and good luck!!!

Cheryl

[rnboysmom]

The Corridor Group has a really nice, concise book that can be carried easily with your supplies that gives charting guidelines, frequency guidelines and a lot of general hospice knowledge that is arranged nicely(IDT TIPS, ADMIT, DISCHARGE, DECLINE, CARE PLANS, ETC).

they are called"Quick Flips" and are specialized tocharting guidelines ecpected by your intermediary (ours is Palmetto GBA) I have used the book a LOT! and recently ordered copies for all of my nursing staff to carry. They used to sell the book in a single copy for about $25, but now you have to order 4 copies at a time ( I suspect because it was easy to copy) it is well worth the money not to have to carry several different references. It is a good reference tool for beginners, but the "lifer" would find it a little simplistic, Depends on your general knowledge of the federal regs and intermediary requirements.