Just a (probably stupid) question...

mark_LD_RN · Jul 10, 2002

a kardex is like a cover sheet with basic pt info on it, some keep it on the charts some places keep them in file and nurses station. it contains things like iv fluids and rate, dr. , diagnosis, admit date, labs, treatments , just generally a list of all things ordered or done for patient.

Cindy_A · Jul 10, 2002

The Kardex gives all the info on the pt. It tell if they are on O2, IVs and what fluids are running and the rate, if they are IDDM and when accuchecks are schuled, plus SSI. It also give allergies, code status, etc. Basically, it's a synopsis of the pt. on a 4X6 card.

BadBird, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2002

The Kardex is a paper with patient info on it , date of admission, diagnosis, allergies, all tests ordered, diet, activity, code status, referrals, etc... It is usually kept in the nurses station by the charge nurse or unit secretary. Be careful, do not trust the information always check the patient charts as the kardex needs to be updated constantly and this does not always happen. Another problem is the information is usually written in pencil and erased to update and if you have a complicated patient with a million orders they can become illegible.

Nurse Ratched, RN · Jul 10, 2002

Most computer charting-based hospitals also have a version of it generated by the computer. I think the one at my former workplace was called a PCP (pt care profile) or something like that. Those also have to be manually updated, just in the computer instead of with a paper and pencil.

The kardex is not considered a legal document where I work (I presume it is this way elsewhere also?) It does not go to medical records when the patient leaves. It's a tool. In my experience the Kardex is kept very up to date - noting off orders and chart checking indicates that data has been put on the Kardex as well as the med sheet or ordered in the computer or whatever. Can definitely see where it would really suck if that wasn't the case.

I think most people agree that there needs to be some sort of synopsis of the patient's care and orders, but some are less fond of that method. Again, it's all in how the tool is used.

Cindy_A · Jul 10, 2002

BTW, there is no such thing as a stupid question! It's only stupid if you don't know and don't ask! That's what we're here for - to help! So ask away!

fedupnurse · Jul 10, 2002

Now that we are on computers ours are called pt. round reports. More cumbersome than the handwritten kardex and usually get to be 5 pages long because the lab doesn't cancel out old orders. I'd like a simple "to do list" that prints up just what you have to do during that particular shift. None of the old stuff, none of the stuff from the previous or next shift. Boy we could make a million if we came up with something like that huh????

OrthoNutter · Jul 11, 2002

lol well maybe it's not so stupid after all. We have nothing like that....well least not where I've worked in the past. We have a pt diagnoses list, basically just the names, URs, medical team and diagnoses but as far as the things to do, we just write notes ourselves. And it's not uncommon to get to the end of one's shift and start to write in the UR chart and hey, what do you know? The pt was supposed to have this, that or the other done about five hours ago. I've started begging the docs...if something needs to be done at a specific time, by all means write it in the chart but tell me too! This Kardex thingie sounds like a pretty good idea but I don't think yet another piece of paper would go down too well with the rest of the staff.

misti_z · Jul 11, 2002

I do believe that the Kardex is becoming a thing of the past, at least they are extinct at my facility, d/t it usually being hand written. We have PCARs--patient care activity record--that are printed out; they tell the name, rm number, admitting Dx, allergies, admitting MD, recent orders, and other misc items. Many veteran nurses still refer to these as Kardexs out of habit.