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I only chart the description if I actually saw it. Otherwise I just document frequency. I don't think we are required to be more descriptive, unless of course there was something out of the ordinary. Also, all of our babies room in with mom. We do not have a normal newborn nursery, only a Special Care Nursery if there is an issue. So we usually aren't the ones changing diapers, unless mom had a c/s, needs extra help for some reason, or if I'm feeling extra generous. :)
We chart frequency and type/color - meconium, transition, seedy, green, yellow. If I didn't see it, I ask the parents to describe it. There's enough space in the flowsheet to freehand a description if necessary (say, if they pass a mucus plug or something).
If it's a kid that I'm worried about their output - say, they haven't pooped in 24 hours and then they have a blowout, I'll chart 'large' along with with meconium. Or if it's just a smear, I'll chart that too.
We don't, as a general rule, weigh diapers for voids. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea but we currently don't.
mmmorgan58
1 Post
Our unit will now be required to descriptively chart our infants' BM's i.e.-color, consistency and amount. While we presently do chart the frequency, we do not chart a description unless it is out of the norm. Want to know what other hospitals/units are required to do.