Should we chart in 24-hour time?

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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?

it doesn't take a rocket scientist to add 12 or substract 12....

IOW it should be universal time for charting...

Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

I think it should be the standard. Less errors that way.

Specializes in Urgent Care.

If I were asked to give that in real person time, I would just tell them , "Subtract 12"

24 hr time seems to be the standard of practice.

I even use military time at home :)

I've only worked at one nursing home that used a 12 hour clock, and I still charted in military time.

Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

All the hospitals I've ever worked at used military time. At one point I worked in a clinic that didn't, but I still did. There was never any question about my times. :)

Specializes in Clinical Risk Management.

I've never heard of any facility not using the 24-hour clock. I'm surprised that someone would actually ask for "real person time". I would probably suggest that this person subtract 12 as well.

Specializes in ER/ICU, CCL, EP.

I am also surprised that a facility would still be using a 12-hour clock. How confusing! I can barely keep today/yesterday straight because I work nights :)

Another case for continuity! At our facility ICU is the only unit that reports pt temps in C.!

Specializes in ER/Trauma.

I use military time in real life anyway :p

Then again, I also use the NATO Phonetic when I'm spelling out a difficult word (like my last name :icon_roll)

cheers,

Romeo Oscar Yankee :p

I have always used the 24 hour clock and have never worked in a facility where it wasn't used.

Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, Home Health, Oncology.

Hi

At our Hospital, we have used the 24-hour clock for about 20+ yrs. We use Kg for wt. and C. for Temp. cm fot ht.

Specializes in Med/Surge, Private Duty Peds.

always military time.... less chance of errors and no questions about what timea med was given.

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