Should we chart in 24-hour time?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in ED.

We use the 24 hour clock in our ED. When we call the floors for report, we usually get "what is that, in real person time?" Personally, I think the 24 hour clock has more advantages than disadvantages. We are trying to get the entire hospital using the 24 hour model. What do you think?

Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

I like using the 24hour clock whenever administering/charting meds. It saves me from med errors and makes it easier to pay attention to the NTE x-amount in 24hours portion.

Specializes in PICU/NICU.

I thought all hospitals used "military time"! I'm kinda suprised!

Specializes in being a Credible Source.

I always use the 24-hr clock.

Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

I've never worked in a place that didn't use 24hr time!

Specializes in A myriad of specialties.
i thought all hospitals used "military time"! i'm kinda suprised!

frankly, i'm surprised too. i thought all hospitals had been using military time for the past 20+ years!

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I've never seen any place that didn't use a 24 hour clock.

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

Surprising. I thought military time was universal in hospitals. Better check your policies and if it is not a policy talk to CNO about pros of using this format. For one thing it can cut down on med errors.

Specializes in CMSRN.

no one ever needed clarification when I give military time. Some may use the layman time but never questioned if given military.

Specializes in tele, oncology.

I've worked in many many hospitals and facilities (did agency for nearly two years) and never once worked somewhere where military time was not used.

Specializes in Critical Care.
I thought all hospitals used "military time"! I'm kinda suprised!

Ditto. I've never worked in a facility that didn't use a 24-hour clock.

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
We use the 24 hour clock in our ED. When we call the floors for report, we usually get "what is that, in real person time?" Personally, I think the 24 hour clock has more advantages than disadvantages. We are trying to get the entire hospital using the 24 hour model. What do you think?

Not sure, but maybe recognizing military time in writing versus hearing it may confuse some people. It does for me. I can give meds, see that it is to be given at 1600 and I cognitively know that this is to be administered at 4pm. But speaking about it and someone tells me that they last gave something at 2330 does throw me off. It may be that way for the others as well.

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