Communication boards

Your communication board is specific to your facility. HIPAA compliance is tricky regarding what you can enter for the world to see.

Talk to your manager for the specific information that is required and allowed.

On our boards we have pt name, RN name, NA name, MD name, date, if they have a DPOA, turn q2 , ambulation status

We keep pt goals very simple & are a reflection of one thing the pt hopes to accomplish over the next shift or two.

Ex: Improved pain, no nausea, go home today, out of bed today...

28 years of nursing, have not filled one out completely yet. Heck I never even write my name on those things. I have written my name maybe 10 times total. I HATE THOSE BOARDS!!!

Thanks everyone for your responses... my job has been emphasising on our communication boards but i have noticed it isnt something alot of nurses worry about and just fill em out if they have time maybe... im still on orientation and hVe been asking other nurses including my preceptor about filling out the boards and would like to be proficient in every aspect of my nursing care for pts... so your input is greatly appreciated!

I always fill my name, but only do the rest of I have time. We have private rooms and it's an expectation that our communication boards are filled out and accurate. Everyone does something different for the "goals". Some as simple as "walk in the hallway", "pain controlled", or "feel better". I like to write the POC. I am night shift so i may write "NPO after midnight, surgery at 08:00, pain control tonight, IV antibiotics, sleep well, ect..." Maybe "walk in the hallway twice tonight, use incentive spirometer every 2 hours, pain and nausea controlled, ect..." Will also make reminders about intake/output monitoring, fluid restrictions, daily weights, ect...

It's individualized. I read it with the patient, ask them if they want anything added/removed.

We're required to and audited.

I put my first name up, my tech/aide, MD's and or midlevels names, ambulation status, and simple goals specific to the pt . I review it with them when we hand off.

Some times its a simple as Call- dont fall, or when the next pain med is due.