what color is your ink?

[brownbook]

I work in a small clinic. We will most likely never use computer charting. It was always written in stone, if not actually written in the policy, that doctor orders were signed of with red ink. I noticed some co-workers were signing off orders in black ink and was told we don't need to sign off with red ink any more.

Just curious what the rest of you non-computer nurses are doing?

In the dark ages, before computers, faxes, etc., it was also stressed to not write in blue ink, only black, because when charts were copied the blue ink didn't copy as well.

[ParvulusPuella]

I was taught to always use black ink when charting, and still use black when taking notes, report, etc. We use computer charting, but our MARs and MD orders are still paper. Some of my coworkers use blue ink to write verbal/telephone orders, but all orders have to be checked twice by an RN: once in either the black or blue ink, and then second checked in red.

[RNTOBE_1970]

always use black. Red was for doing chart checks or taking off orders. 20 years ago, day shift charted in black, the evening in green, and nights in red.

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

We are computerized. However we do still have to actually write things most times, its to be done in blue or black ink only. NEVER red or any other color.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

NEVER red. It doesn't scan.

[Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN]

Most demand that charting be in blue or black - usually black.

Once long ago - I worked with T chart (not computer) and had a issue where it appeared that my charting had been "tampered" with - after that, I found dark NAVY ink pens and only use those when charting must be written.

The casual observer cannot tell they are not black - and I can more easily spot a copy or alteration if necessary.

:angel:

[JPRloverNurse]

Red to check off orders.

[BrookeeLou_RN]

Last 18 months have been told blue, all is blue as then they can tell what is original, copies are so good now you ane not tell the difference. Noticed attorneys and banks have switched to blue also.

[CathyLew]

when I first started nursing, we charted on the MAR in red, black and green! each shift had its own color... it made it really stand out.

for the MD orders, the Doc had to use black, the nurse who did the sign off of the order did black, and the nurse that did the 24 hr chart check did red. that way you knew you had to go all the way back to the last red mark to do your 24 hr check (since some docs never dated orders!!!!gggggrrrr!!!)

charting was always black, until they found out on the T-sheets in the ED, that the coders had a hard time seeing the charting, so the ED went to blue ink.

with scanning now- you can scan all colors. Bad old copiers only did black, and the ink or toner was poor quality. Now you can do photos, all colors and shades of gray.

[sdeal]

In my facility all orders are written with black ink, however when the RN signs off on the order it is done with red ink so that their writing does not interfering with anyone being able to read the actual order.

[Flo., BSN, RN]

Blue ink to write orders. It helps to prevent fraud as the original will be in blue and all copies will appear in black. Red to sign off orders.

[twinkerrs]

Blue ink so that the original is very obvious.