Poor spelling in charting

[nrsman1]

I just had a eureka moment. I have been an LPN for about five months and just realized I have been charting they word laying wrong. I have been charting for example " lying in bed watching television with no complaints" I realize now that I should have been putting laying in bed. I feel like such an idiot. Does this make me look like an incompetent nurse or do yo all have words that you thought you have been spelling right that are actually wrong? Just wondering

[perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN]

I think "lying" is the correct use of the word. Think about how you would say it if you were speaking aloud... would you say "The patient is LAYING in bed" or "The patient is LYING in bed". People "lie down", they don't "lay down". But I agree with a previous poster; many people chart this wrong so you may have just read it wrong so many times you're doubting yourself.

[Moogie]

I applaud the OP for being aware of his charting and grammar.

While grammatical and spelling errors may seem pretty minor in the whole picture of patient care, please keep in mind that we're not the only people looking at our charts. When we nurses make many spelling or grammatical errors in their charting, particularly their narrative notes, we can come off appearing rather ignorant and other disciplines might not take us as seriously as we'd like. It's irritating to read a narrative note with many spelling errors and sometimes others who are annoyed with charts full of errors might think that not only do we not know how to spell, we also may not know how to assess properly.

I'm reminded of a colleague who once misspelled the word "come". No further comment on that.

Kudos to the OP for being observant.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

lie 1 (lī)

intr.v. lay (lā), lain (lān), ly-ing (lī'ĭng), lies

1. To be or place oneself at rest in a flat, horizontal, or recumbent position; recline: He lay under a tree to sleep.
   
2. To be placed on or supported by a surface that is usually horizontal: Dirty dishes lay on the table. See Usage Note at lay1.
   
3. To be or remain in a specified condition: The dust has lain undisturbed for years. He lay sick in bed.
   

http://www.grammarmudge.cityslide.com/articles/article/992333/8992.htm

You're using it correctly. You've probably seen so many people using it incorrectly that you're doubting yourself.

Thank you!

[tatara]

So would I use it like : pt. Laying or lying in bed

Lying on bed. -I'm sure, this is correct.

Lay your head on my shoulders. - partially confident with this one.

Lie down on bed. - needs more brain power to say if this one is correct.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

Lying on bed. -I'm sure, this is correct.

Lay your head on my shoulders. - partially confident with this one.

Lie down on bed. - needs more brain power to say if this one is correct.

Correct.

[RedRobin8]

My grandma, who was a stickler for grammar, used to tell me: Hens lay (eggs), people lie (down).

I never checked behind her, but it always stuck in my head.

[justiceforjoy]

Worst I've come across is "pt. c/o soar throat." D:

We all make errors in charting. I try to have good grammar and am usually really good with my spelling, but I'll re-read my charting and think "How embarrassing!" haha I sometimes leave out letters and sometimes words like "to", "the", etc. Not sure why I do that -- I always have.

[CathyLew]

Spelling seems to be a problem with many people-nurses included. Have you seem some of the posts listed here on this website!!!

Ouch! I resemble that remark!

[sugarsweet21612]

well i had an instructor make a huge deal about spelling this semester. she gave us a lecture at the beginning of the semester saying everything in your documentation must be spelled correctly. her rationale was if you were ever taken to court for something, and there was something in your charting that was spelled wrong, your credibility would be immediately shot. she also said make sure you spell at MD's names correct, because if, for instance, you documented that you called "Dr. Smiht" about a concern you had and he said it was fine, and then your patient somehow died, when you went to court, Dr. Smith would say "that's not my name in the chart, she didn't call me, it's not my fault." i don't know how much truth there is to this, i think my instructor may have taken it a little far about the common misspellings.

[Mollypita]

The way I always remembered it was that when you're reclining you're lying down. When you put something down, you're laying it (on the table or whatever). The first is more passive, the second an act you do TO something else.

[Wise Woman RN]

laying means putting something down on a surface... The hens are laying eggs... Lying is what you are doing when you are recumbent in bed... also if you are telling an untruth..

[Moogie]

well i had an instructor make a huge deal about spelling this semester. she gave us a lecture at the beginning of the semester saying everything in your documentation must be spelled correctly. her rationale was if you were ever taken to court for something, and there was something in your charting that was spelled wrong, your credibility would be immediately shot. she also said make sure you spell at MD's names correct, because if, for instance, you documented that you called "Dr. Smiht" about a concern you had and he said it was fine, and then your patient somehow died, when you went to court, Dr. Smith would say "that's not my name in the chart, she didn't call me, it's not my fault." i don't know how much truth there is to this, i think my instructor may have taken it a little far about the common misspellings.

Actually, this would not surprise me. Keep in mind that a chart is a legal document and, in the case of malpractice, attorneys are paid well to ferret out even the tiniest inconsistencies.

I know it seems anal, but I agree completely with your instructor on this one.