Is it okay to tape record on my phone my patient's report?

[strawberryluv]

Okay, so I'm having trouble writing all the details and absorbing the information during the change-of-shift report. The nurses speaks TOO FAST like they assume I know the patient already. I always rush to write everything and miss details.

I'm considering resolving this issue by taping my specific patient's report on the "voice recorder" function on my Android smartphone. I would then plug in my earphones and play it back in case I think I miss something. Since nurses seem to somehow take 2-5 minutes on one report for a patient I think I will be alright listening it back with my voice recorder without wasting too much time.

Do you think this is an okay resolve for my problem? Am I breaking any HIPAA rules? I will definitely trash the voice recording after the clinical.

I need some advice on this. I don't know what else to do because I'm having trouble writing everything down while listening to what they are saying. And, it could be really disorganized the way some of them give report.

[mariebailey, MSN, RN]

Props to you OP, for asking this question! It's an important one, & you had the discernment to ask before doing it. While it is pretty safe to say that recordings on phones are out, I just want to point out that the law is interpreted differently from facility to facility. When confused, consult facility/school policy. I'm sure you know how to google, but the feds have general information: Understanding Health Information Privacy

[beckyboo1, BSN, RN]

OK. I will heed to everyone's advice and not tape it. Thanks. I will focus on writing

down everything then plugging it into a brain sheet and asking q's. Thanks.

The purpose of the brain sheet is so you don't need to write everything down. Defeats the purpose if you write everything down on paper THEN write it again on your brain sheet. Good luck finding what works for you :)

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

I second what most everyone has said. Suppose there is some type of "leak" of private patient information on that unit. Suppose a classmate or a nurse on that unit says "I say this student nurse taping report on her phone." Even if the leak wasn't from you, this would be major trouble for your student and professional future (sorry to say, you could kiss the latter goodbye). Use your brain…sheet.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

OK. I will heed to everyone's advice and not tape it. Thanks. I will focus on writing

down everything then plugging it into a brain sheet and asking q's. Thanks.

It is NEVER a good idea to tape, photo, talk about, post about ANYTHING that has ANYTHING to do with the patient...EVER!

you need a good brain sheet.......here are a few.

mtpmedsurg.doc

1 patient float.doc‎

5 pt. shift.doc‎

finalgraduateshiftreport.doc‎

horshiftsheet.doc‎

report sheet.doc‎

day sheet 2 doc.doc

Two pt worksheet.doc (45.0 KB, 348 views)

Pt Assessment Tool.doc (51.0 KB, 451 views)

‎critical thinking flow sheet for nursing students

student clinical report sheet for one patient

i made some for nursing students and some other an members have made these for others.....adapt them way you want. i hope they help

[Everline]

A couple of things: One of the hospitals where I did two rotations had a sheet specifically made for giving and receiving report. You might look into that and see if they will give you a copy. I noticed that some of the nurses used it and some had their own system or sheet, but they all had some organized way to give/receive report. Find what works best for you. Look at the sheets provided here and see what seems to make the most sense to you as far as how things are placed on the page. The most important thing is that whatever you use, know it well. It doesn't help to have a report sheet and not know where things are on it so that you have to look for the proper place to write things while the nurse is zooming ahead of you. Look over it and know it well before you use it.

For a long while, I just used a plain white sheet and scribbled furiously on it in my own kind of short hand, with arrows and other symbols all over it. *shrug* It worked for me, though no one else could have deciphered it. It's much better to be more organized.

The best thing I encountered were nurses who recorded their report. Loved that.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

Its not an app. Its a voice recorder function that came with the phone from the manufacturer

It's still an application whether you download it or the manufacturer does. However, it doesn't make a difference because it won't be allowed for you to use your personal device. Who's to say you actually delete it at the end of shift? What if you lose the phone at lunch? You wouldn't take pics of your pt. This is treated the same way.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

A couple of things: One of the hospitals where I did two rotations had a sheet specifically made for giving and receiving report. You might look into that and see if they will give you a copy. I noticed that some of the nurses used it and some had their own system or sheet, but they all had some organized way to give/receive report. Find what works best for you. Look at the sheets provided here and see what seems to make the most sense to you as far as how things are placed on the page. The most important thing is that whatever you use, know it well. It doesn't help to have a report sheet and not know where things are on it so that you have to look for the proper place to write things while the nurse is zooming ahead of you. Look over it and know it well before you use it.

For a long while, I just used a plain white sheet and scribbled furiously on it in my own kind of short hand, with arrows and other symbols all over it. *shrug* It worked for me, though no one else could have deciphered it. It's much better to be more organized.

The best thing I encountered were nurses who recorded their report. Loved that.

Reports (hand off) may be recorded on APPROVED hospital devices that NEVER leave the facility. In accordance with The Joint Commission taped reports are discouraged unless there is a policy set up for the receiving nurse to ask questions. More facilities are doing bedside report which is a JC recommendation.

AHRQ Patient Safety Network - Handoffs and Signouts

[surgerymedic]

Pretty sure this would be a major hippa violation and would get the hospital in so much trouble if you we're ever discovered IMO.

[zzbxdo]

Do all that has been said and... Maybe come on the unit an extra 10 minutes early to review your patient chart

[bsartor]

This was actually a good question! My first health care job was as a mental health tech in a inpatient psychiatric facility. Their way of doing report was via an old school tape recorder. This was in 2009. The off going Charge Nurse would record report on all 16 patients in the milieu for that unit and the oncoming shift which included the Charge RN, Med Nurse, and the 2 MHTs would go into a private meeting room and listen to report. This was done from while the off going staff maintained an eye on the unit.

So your question was very reasonable. However, this wasn't a personal phone and was approved by the facility.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I find it difficult to believe that there's a smart phone out there with the option of tape recording. Tapes are a thing of the past -- so ancient that my college-graduate step daughter has never seen one. Or so she says.

But be that as it may, taping report on your personal device is a big no-no. Just don't do it. You need to develop your skills with taking and giving report. A brain sheet may help. Listening for exceptions may help. Not writing down absolutely everything WILL help. And practice and experience will definitely help.

All of that said, I cannot believe that your school has not already made it clear to you that this is a HIPAA violation and is not allowed.

[beautifulskymind]

Excuse me, ThePrincessBride but no question is a dumb question. Chose your words wisely.