Prioritization in the ER

Published

How do you get out of documentation mode? The hospital/floor I used to work at was very heavy on documentation and I became very very good and documenting everything in real time so I wouldn't have to stay late. How do I untrain myself and stop myself in order to prioritize?

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Chart as you go. As a previous poster said you need to be thinking about the assessment of the chief complaint. If my patient comes in complaining of SOB I'm going to do a thorough lung and cardiac assessment. Other than that I'm not worried about what their bowel sounds are. Short. Sweet. To the point. Targeted.

I'm not telling you it's going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it.

Author: Art Williams

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yeah focused assessments unless they are altered, then a rapid head to toe is what we usually do. It's not bad though as aloc Pts usually get some extra hands to help when they arrive to make sure in room triage/initial assessment/line/labs/and rapid h-t are done.

BSN GCU 2014. ED Residency ;)

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVOR, CVICU/CTICU, CCRN-CMC-CSC.

I've gotten into the habit of taking a few down-time sheets with me and charting on them until I have a chance to transcribe them into the EMR. It's been slightly inconvenient at times, but it has also saved my butt more than once.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion