Cheat Sheets?

I work in a hospital, so it's somewhat different, but I wouldn't be able to keep everything straight if I didn't write things down. I always wear cargo pants and have a sheet in one of those big pockets with the names and room numbers of all of my assigned patients and all the important info - any special needs (blood sugars, turning and how often, etc.). I make little boxes to check off when task are done (bathing, bed change, etc.). I also use the same sheet to write their vitals on (we do them q4h) and highlight anything abnormal in pink (other cargo pocket!) that I need to notify the RN about.

I'd be lost without it!

When I worked as a CNA I always had a cheat sheet w/me. Even though I knew the pts like the back of my hand, there was no way I would remember who ate what % of breakfast and lunch, who had a BM and the size, how many times someone urinated, what their I&O was etc.

At the beginning of my shift I'd grab a piece of paper and at the top put something like BM/URINE/I&O/% EATEN

down the side I'd put pts name and left a space for little notes like "shower today", appointment @ 10, PT @ 9, VS

As I went about my duties, if a pt had a BM I'd mark that box with a S, M, L, XL for the size (we had to document the size too), I'd check their breakfast or lunch trays to see how much they ate and mark the box, also marking in amount of fluids taken etc. When I did their AM care, I'd put a check mark by their names so I knew with just a quick glance who was left etc.

I kinda make up my own little cheat sheet as I go. It all depends on what kind of facility you work, how many patients you have, and what your responsibilities are.

Most people I see keep a chart of kinds. With their patients listed and places to fill in BM's, vital signs, showers, activity, etc. I tend to keep a flow sheet where I list 2300 #275 ^ BR 200ml lg bm

2345 #289 BS: 174

0030 #293 etc

I find this works better for me because of the kind of assignment I have. If I had less patients I would happily be doing a check list.

I don't know if this would work or not but I'm going to try it. At vista print you can make your own note pads. I'm going to try to make one that as sections for VS, BM, showers, activities, etc across the top and a section where I can just fill in the pt's name on the left (does that make sense?)

Anyway, a lot of times you can get 1 free and just pay shipping.

Just a thought since it seems most people are making their own anyway.