ED Cheat sheet?

[MILOBRI]

I'm a new grad working in acute care PRN, about to start working full time in another hospital's ER in a couple of weeks. As a new grad, my saving grace has been developing a cheat sheet to help me stay organized with my meds and assessments, documentation, labs, etc. I copy my cheat sheet and use it for each patient. It helps a lot when it's time to report off to the next shift, too. I'm not really sure what I'm getting into in the ER or how it's going to go, but is there anything at all that you would suggest to make my transition easier? Thanks!

[Sassy5d]

I don't have any tips, except I don't know how peeps manage paper sheets of anything.

All I can add is if you don't know, don't pretend that you do.

[CodeteamB]

I used a cheat sheet when I worked floor, my daily sheet was a thing of beauty, with everything i needed to do for or know about the patient, times and checklists etc. It doesn't work for me in the ER. I do maintain post-it's attached to each Pt chart with a summary of what needs to be done and check it off as I go.

I missed my brain sheet at first but it was impractical to do it with the turnover we get and the constant reprioritization necessary. You may find after a couple months in the ER you don't really need the sheet to keep on track.

[caseywestt]

Cheat sheets aren't very useful in the ED. Honestly, you don't have time to write too much down because we see so many patients in one day. I am a new grad as well and what I have found helpful is just making a to do list for each patient once i have a minute to sit down. It helps to me to see all the things I have pending on each pt in one spot and prioritize what I need to get done without forgetting anything. I also use that same sheet of paper to write things down when i don't have time to get to the computer to chart right away (time MD at bedside, communication with other staff that I need to document, etc.) Also most meds are stat in the ED, so you don't really need to worry about mapping out times to give meds. I don't know how it is on the floor, but in the ED I try and get my "workup" done right away when seeing the patient. That means getting them on the monitor, drawing labs/starting lines when necessary, letting them know you need urine, and doing a physical assessment all before leaving the room if possible. Getting all of that done off the bat means you can get to the computer and chart it all at once and has saved me a lot of time and keeps me organized! Good lucK!!

[sandyfeet]

At shift change when I get report, I like to write some notes on a piece of paper I fold up and keep in my pocket. It seems like I almost always have a patient who is about to be admitted (and I'll need to give report on), or transferred, or needs a family member called and the nurse tells me the phone number, etc. My co-workers tease me because it's not the "ER way" to write down anything, but I just feel more comfortable and I've become very fast and succinct!

If I am holding a patient I will also write a note about time sensitive labs. But otherwise, you will learn to remember everything. You will be constantly checking for new orders and charting on the chief complaint every hour, so information will stay fresh in your mind.

I've tried a bunch of different approaches to 'cheat sheets,' some that I found and others that I've created. The most useful of all has simply been a sheet with a grid of times in 15-min intervals. That way I can make a quick note for backcharting and also put in 'to-dos' for a couple hours out.

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

When i first get report i make some quick notes. Room, name, age, cc, anything really interesting, anticipated dispo & outstanding orders. I used to carry it around and refer to the notes but now usually toss it by my computer & don't look at it for hours.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

I loved my brain/cheat sheet on the floor but when I came to the ER, I found it to be impractical. We see too many patients throughout the shift so my new sheet is a paper towel or dressing package or alcohol swab or whatever I can find to write on with :)

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

I, too, ditched the trusty "Brain Sheet" when I made the switch to the ED. Paper towels work great for jotting down a set of vitals or some pertinent assessment data that I don't want to forget when I go to catch up on my charting.

[ezgreazin]

ditch the cheat sheet, carry some sticky notes in your pocket, you'll get a flow eventually.

[nurseEnurse]

my cheat sheet--- the nearest piece of paper or paper towel, what happened, vitals in ambulance/triage and upon arrival,allergies, medications they are on and last time taken, past surgeries and medical history. Then my assessment which I only write down anything outside normal limits.

[MILOBRI]

Thank you, everyone. You're all right. With the high turnover, there's no need for a brain sheet. Paper towels work great, indeed. I am loving the ER, but hating my preceptor. Ugh. I'm pretty sure she hates me too.