Drs. handwriting - Can you read it well?

Hi. I was just wondering how you deal with not being able to read a drs. handwriting, because even though I am not a nurse, a lot of times I cannot read the Prescriptions that my drs. write out, therefore I wonder how nurses deal with this? When you have to go back to the Dr. to ask questions, are they usually nice or do they act like you should have been able to read it?

I worked with a doc that was sooooo bad...he couldn't read it either when asked to clarify! He would just cross it out. He started typing out his orders. Then he bought a computer program that typed in his hand writing. LOL

Specializes in Medical Surgical.

I've had instances where doctors chewed me out for not being able to read their handwriting on orders. Once I had to get the hospital supervisor involved because he REFUSED to clarify it. I had another who told me I'd just have to figure it out because he couldn't read it either (and he'd just written it 30 minutes before). With this doctor, we'd asked another doctor for help with it and he said he couldn't even try to decipher it because the order had obviously been written by some sort of nonhuman creature, probably not even a primate. :} And as far as progress notes, about 10% are basically illegible. Bring on the computers and make them mandatory for the doctors. Who has time for this nonsense?

One of the hardest parts of my RN refresher course was reading doctor's orders. I can't believe how much dificultry I had with this. I was wondering if any of your hospitals are using computerized orders??? Has it made a big difference in doing your job? Any hints on how to figure out doctor's handwritings? It was driving me crazy trying to decipher orders. I know it will get easier with experience, but what does a new nurse do in the meantime?

Krisssy RN

All the things a new nurse has to learn can seem overwhelming at first - but don't give up! It will get better with more time.

One very important thing is to not be scared or intimidated to clarify orders. We do have one particular Dr. whose handwriting is just unreadable. There were so many complaints that the doc had to go before some comiittee and was required to dictate orders (which were transcribed immediately and printed for each particular unit.) This worked great until the doc slowly but surely tapered off from being compliant with that method. Now each nurse just tries to catch this doc before he leaves the unit to read over his orders with him listening. Great for that particular nurse but not the ones coming on afterward. More complaints may have to be made.

Try getting another nurse in your unit to help you work on that particular issue. Do you have a preceptor or have you completed that phase? Make yourself a plan on how to tackle this problem. Anyway - like I said before, just don't be afraid to clarify orders if there is a question - remember - you are responsible for the "5 rights." It really does get better.

At hte old facility I used to work at, there were handwritten orders...a few of which NO-ONE could decipher! Usually had to wait till day shift came on to call that particular dr so it could be clarified.

The new facility I am going to has computerized orders...I think I'm gonna like that! Especially since I am working nights again and really get frustrated when we had to wait for days (shift) to clarify.....

We usually take an unreadable order to every nurse, then the unit secretary and then the house doctor. If that fails we call the doc. Of course if the doc just left we call him first. Don't worry- someone usually recognizes the meaning- then it all becomes apparent to the rest of us. Good luck and try not to worry.

I know this is silly, but it is something that really gets under my skin. Every time I'm looking through a chart and looking at Dr's orders/progress notes, it seriously looks like a 2 year old just scribbled on some paper....and I'm supposed to know how to read this!?!? I mean, it's kind of important that I read the Dr's order right? Is there a trick to it? Does anybody else have the same problem as I do? I'm graduating in May and I'm scared that I'll never be able to read their chicken scratch!

I just started a new job as a Specialty Clerk in a hospital, and yes I can say reading the doctors orders is very frustrating. Why do they expect us or should I say how do they expect us to read this chicken scratch. Can't wait till they get a EMR, will make life a little easier at work. I do not understand their frustration when we have to ask, "Doctor could you please tell me what this say?" After all most of them can't read their own writing...

Specializes in geriatrics.

One of our Drs has worse handwriting than a 5 year old would. Drives us nuts! Before he walks away, I make him clarify the order. There have been many occasions that we have had to call.

there should be a prereq class for the MDs, "how to write orders legibly" so nurses can read. LOL...My instructor told me that the reason MDs don't write legibly is because they only know how to spell the first two letters and last letter of the medication. LOL!!

Yes they realy should have a class for MD's to take on handwriting. Someone needs to say to them we cannot read it, and if you get a call, or the Secretaries and Nurses need to confirm with them all the time on what their orders say, then they got noone but themselves to blame. They seem to get very testi when we have to ask. But if everyone is asking all the time, then you would think that with them being doctors with such high levels of education, that they would switch things up somewhat and start writing the orders in a manner we can all read. As if our jobs are not hard enough, with all the paperwork, answering phones, calling for consults and dealing with sick peoples family questions, they just make it even harder by writting chicken scratch that they think we can understand. I just don;t get them...

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

I'll tell you a secret. Some physicians are very lonely and LOVE to get phone calls from nurses in the middle of the night to alleviate their loneliness. At least that is what i assume. I find that if you wake them up enough their handwriting gets better.

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