Does anyone really read all this charting?

If everything goes well...probably not. If things go poorly everyone gets to read them in court.

Wow- Yep!

If everything goes well...probably not. If things go poorly everyone gets to read them in court.

Yep, this!

I have seen that good charting can save the facility a tag when the state comes in. If we are watching someone for signs of dehydration, or monitoring post fall, those are events that the state seems to love looking for the documentation that we were really on top of the follow up according to policy. I have felt the same way though, especially when we have to duplicate the same charting in three different places.

Oh, yes, we have people in our hospital that read every word we chart. Sometimes even while you are still charting! They notify us if we leave off something like pupil sizes for neuro checks, forgot to chart a daily weight, etc. I know not every place does this, but mine sure does. They go over every single thing and you will get a note to correct it, if need be. I don't mean falsify anything.

I've had docs quote my charting from the night before directly into their own notes i.e. "staff report that ... "

So, yeah.

Yep, I've known doctors to look at it. One would even check to make sure nurses were titrating drips when the bps were outside parameters.

If no one in the hospital does, eventually an attorney will.

I for sure read what day shift charted and the physician note from that day. I know our doctors for sure do read our documentation.

Some professionally looking guys in well-made suites and with the letters J and D after their last names.

As the nurse who has your patients on the next shift after you go home, yes I do look at what you charted. Especially when a patient doesn't look okay.