Teaching the importance of accurately recording intake and output at CNA skills fair

[luv2rsq]

Hello all! I have volunteered to present the importance of accurately recording intake and output at our CNA skills fair. To my dismay, I am having a difficult time coming up with a new and exciting way to present this topic. Wondering if anyone has any input. Thanks in advance! 

[RNperdiem, RN]

Tell a story, real or hypothetical about why accurate intake and output is important. People respond to stories.

I was once a CNA, and my job was based around getting tasks done. Little thought about why we did some things, or whether some tasks were more important than others. Less critical thinking was involved.

Teach them the ways intake and outputs are actually used to guide medical care, and the consequences of missing or incorrect data. 

 

[Davey Do]

RNperdiem said:

Teach them the ways intake and outputs are actually used to guide medical care, and the consequences of missing or incorrect data. 

Good advice, RNperdiem, and I would add that their recording correct I&O is an important function because THEY are important members of the healthcare team.

We all like to feel important, and if someone recognizes and proclaims our importance, we feel better about ourselves and tend to want to do a good job.

[luv2rsq]

Thank you both for your comments, they are extremely helpful!

 

[londonflo]

Having been a patient where output was never measured for 7 days before surgery while being NPO and  post op waking up with a indwelling catheter for 4 days post op because...out put is important to balance fluids "in and out", this is the pits! Made those helping me to walk have another tube to take care of.