I think I asked this question a while ago, but I didn't get too much back from members, so I figure I'll ask again. What kind of "kardex" to you use in report, if any, and what types of specific information is on it? I was used to the kardex being used for charge nurse to charge nurse report in my former facility, and the nurses used their own ways of looking at orders, and flow sheets and lab results, etc to give shift to shift report.
My current facility uses the Kardex for shift to shift report. Things like the TPN rate are written there, as well as cycling CPAP to NC timings, and feeding amounts, which change daily (or sometimes more often than that) can be erased and rewritten. My feeling is that if I'm giving report at the bedside, I can look at the tpn rate, and compare it to the orders and don't need to "update" the Kardex with that information. Also, the flowsheet, is looked at, and the Order sheets, and the MAR, so why do we need to be so specific on the kardex? Don't we have enough paperwork to do?
With all the "specifics" on our Kardex, there are never any lab values. I took report a few weeks ago on an infant who had been transfused, and when I asked what the HCT was, I was told the nurse didn't know! I would think that the latest lab values are important to include on a kardex? (and in shift to shift report?) My previous facility had that information on the flow sheet. The facility I'm currently at is trying to come up with a new Kardex, and after months, we seem to be no closer to finding what works for us. Any suggestions or examples would be greatly appreciated!
