new manager needs help organizing floor

[Lindeeloorn]

Hi! I am a new unit manager in a LTC facility. (long term floor) it seems that there is no rhyme or reason to how information is stored or communicated between staff, doctors and others involved with resident care. there is a different book, flow sheet, or report for every little thing. Does anyone have suggestions on how I can streamline this unit and get everyone on the same page so we can focus less on getting paperwork done and spend more time caring for patients?

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

First you need to ascertain which forms are required by the company and which are "home-made" from within the facility. I would appoint a committee to determine which forms can be eliminated or combined. Many times the people on the front line have great ideas on how to make their work flow better. If you have an Intranet perhaps IS can put the forms on digital format. If you have a network within the facility a shared drive might be the answer. That is what I do for our nursing supervisors so they don't have to keep copies of things. I can then update as needed.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

I've moved your post to our LTC forum which is more active for our experts to assit you!

[achot chavi]

If you are new- may I suggest you wait a bit before making changes, decide what needs to be streamlined, have a meeting with those who if affects- your supervisor, your peers, and decide what would benefit everyone, than make up the appropriate forms.

Don't do it yourself and try to ram it down everyone elses throats.

Regarding less paperwork, more time for patient care- unfortunately, paperwork is a part of the process, At your meeting bring up this concern and see what suggestions are made to streamline.

In general- all information should only have too be written once- like Vitals. When I first came on board in my facility- i noticed that there was double charting of vitals- I fixed that.

Don't delete or discard any of the paperwork till you approve it with your supervisor.