Should we chart in 24-hour time?

Published

  • Specializes in ED. Has 7 years experience.

We use the 24 hour clock in our ED. When we call the floors for report, we usually get "what is that, in real person time?" Personally, I think the 24 hour clock has more advantages than disadvantages. We are trying to get the entire hospital using the 24 hour model. What do you think?

SweetLemon

213 Posts

Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing. Has 1 years experience.

I like using the 24hour clock whenever administering/charting meds. It saves me from med errors and makes it easier to pay attention to the NTE x-amount in 24hours portion.

PICNICRN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 465 Posts

Specializes in PICU/NICU. Has 14 years experience.

I thought all hospitals used "military time"! I'm kinda suprised!

Music in My Heart

2 Articles; 4,102 Posts

Specializes in being a Credible Source. Has 13 years experience.

I always use the 24-hr clock.

Specializes in Cardiac, ER. Has 18 years experience.

I've never worked in a place that didn't use 24hr time!

Midwest4me

1,007 Posts

Specializes in A myriad of specialties.
i thought all hospitals used "military time"! i'm kinda suprised!

frankly, i'm surprised too. i thought all hospitals had been using military time for the past 20+ years!

loriangel14, RN

6,931 Posts

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I've never seen any place that didn't use a 24 hour clock.

classicdame, MSN, EdD

2 Articles; 7,255 Posts

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

Surprising. I thought military time was universal in hospitals. Better check your policies and if it is not a policy talk to CNO about pros of using this format. For one thing it can cut down on med errors.

StrwbryblndRN

658 Posts

Specializes in CMSRN. Has 9 years experience.

no one ever needed clarification when I give military time. Some may use the layman time but never questioned if given military.

mama_d, BSN, RN

1,187 Posts

Specializes in tele, oncology. Has 10 years experience.

I've worked in many many hospitals and facilities (did agency for nearly two years) and never once worked somewhere where military time was not used.

Specializes in Critical Care.
I thought all hospitals used "military time"! I'm kinda suprised!

Ditto. I've never worked in a facility that didn't use a 24-hour clock.

pagandeva2000, LPN

7,984 Posts

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
We use the 24 hour clock in our ED. When we call the floors for report, we usually get "what is that, in real person time?" Personally, I think the 24 hour clock has more advantages than disadvantages. We are trying to get the entire hospital using the 24 hour model. What do you think?

Not sure, but maybe recognizing military time in writing versus hearing it may confuse some people. It does for me. I can give meds, see that it is to be given at 1600 and I cognitively know that this is to be administered at 4pm. But speaking about it and someone tells me that they last gave something at 2330 does throw me off. It may be that way for the others as well.

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