Question on boilerplate text in chart notee

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

Hello all,

I am curious about excessive use of boilerplate text and legal liability.  My employer has now modified the EHR to automatically put in a huge amount of boilerplate into every chart note under the Plan/Instructions section.  Basically says that at every appt, the pt is counseled on every SE for every med (many of our pts are taking 6 or more meds - wish it wasn't so, but we have complex pts), every possible med interaction, risk of this or that, emergency resources, healthy lifestyle changes, blah, blah.  Obviously, there is no way this is going to happen in every single 20 min appt in addition to actually addressing  the issue at hand.  It would take 1 hour to go over everything that is in that boilerplate text, at least.

I'm just curious if there was ever a lawsuit, wouldn't the opposing counsel just say nothing in the notes can be trusts because it is just obvious b.s.?

I'm just sick of "note bloat."  

[JKL33]

I would let them know this isn't okay with me. It's kind of a deal-breaker if you know it isn't being done yet have no control over signing these charts containing false information.  And yes, it seems unlikely that sort of a move is ever going to amount to any legal protection.

[sleepwalker, MSN, NP]

I could see the use of boiler plate language being available as an option that was to be specifically chosen to be included in the note if it was completed.

Just to have a giant note with a ton of things not actually discussed or covered...no way!

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

My primary care provider does this. When I read her notes about the comprehensive discussions we (never) had about diet, exercise, etc., I had to laugh. But then again, maybe she's being forced to do this by corporate, IDK.

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

Nurse Beth said:

My primary care provider does this. When I read her notes about the comprehensive discussions we (never) had about diet, exercise, etc., I had to laugh. But then again, maybe she's being forced to do this by corporate, IDK.

She probably is being forced.  Oh well, hopefully this won't ever be challenged.

[JKL33]

Nurse Beth said:

When I read her notes about the comprehensive discussions we (never) had about diet, exercise, etc., I had to laugh. But then again, maybe she's being forced to do this by corporate, IDK.

Though not so funny when some of this stuff can be billed (and likely is being billed) on the back end.

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

JKL33 said:

Though not so funny when some of this stuff can be billed (and likely is being billed) on the back end.

I agree. After I read the notes, I wondered if the language was all crafted for billing- and I think it is. It did surprise me. I wonder how she rationalizes it to herself. 

[core0]

JKL33 said:

I would let them know this isn't okay with me. It's kind of a deal-breaker if you know it isn't being done yet have no control over signing these charts containing false information.  And yes, it seems unlikely that sort of a move is ever going to amount to any legal protection.

For some reason I can't quote the OP. However, what about inserting a .phrase "the text below is automatically generated and may or may not reflect services performed"