Ugh... Chicken Scratch

One time me and this other nurse (how do you grammar scholars like the way I put that?) spent about 30 minutes trying to take down these doctor's orders. The handwriting was so bad it was like translating some kind of weird ancient form of hierolyphics. We had to look at the patient's dx and what meds they were on to help try to determine what he was saying. One of us would say, that looks kind of like an a but it could be a u it was a monumental waste of time because there was no good reason for it. Instead of taking a minute to write so others could read it he scratched it out and ran off on his merry way.

His convenience, our expense.

It really gets on my nerves.

The docs that I work with are pretty good (not all but most). However, we have a nurse here that you can not tell what he is trying to document, order, ect. It is horrible. No one wants to even attempt to figure out what he is writing. I think some people should have to take handwriting classes if they are going to be nurses/docs.

What is interesting is we have docs that can't read other docs poor handwriting and then they get mad...um yah!!!!

I hear talk at our facility that someday soon the docs will have to computer enter orders...won't that be great...and oh...interesting I am sure.

Always a problem. I especially have difficulty with the signature issue. I usually just show it to somebody who's been on the floor a long time and they can decipher.

We're really looking forward to the computer-based orders system allegedly being developed right now. There are a couple docs who ensure I can read their chicken scratch before they run away, I like them a lot.

This is where I like computer order entry. The handwriting issue is not a problem anymore.

Always a problem. I especially have difficulty with the signature issue. I usually just show it to somebody who's been on the floor a long time and they can decipher.

We're really looking forward to the computer-based orders system allegedly being developed right now. There are a couple docs who ensure I can read their chicken scratch before they run away, I like them a lot.

That would be such a God-send. It just makes more sense to do it that way.

We go to computer entry next year. In the meantime I work nights, nothing like a 3:00AM call to 'clarify' orders to inspire a Dr. to employ a little neater handwriting.

Our hospital actually complied a list of DR's with the worst handwriting, and some nurses too, and made a "mandatory" handwriting class.....Not all the Docs showed up but all the nurses did..

Student question here:

If you can't read the orders then aren't you putting yourself at risk by trying to interpret what you see?

Never having worked in a unit, I have no idea, but it seems like illegible writing should always mandate a page or call followed by a return visit by the doc to write orders that can be interpreted.

What happens if something goes bad? Who assumes the liability?

This seems like something that the hospital QA team (do they have those?) would address. Seems like the "low-hanging fruit" on the "reducing medical errors" tree.

This seems like something that the hospital QA team (do they have those?) would address. Seems like the "low-hanging fruit" on the "reducing medical errors" tree.

That would be something you would bring to the hospitals Risk dept.

Ive never heard of a "QA" team....what is that? Question and Answer?

:monkeydance:

Student question here:

If you can't read the orders then aren't you putting yourself at risk by trying to interpret what you see?

Never having worked in a unit, I have no idea, but it seems like illegible writing should always mandate a page or call followed by a return visit by the doc to write orders that can be interpreted.

What happens if something goes bad? Who assumes the liability?

This seems like something that the hospital QA team (do they have those?) would address. Seems like the "low-hanging fruit" on the "reducing medical errors" tree.

Yes, you are putting yourself at risk, and that's why if you aren't sure about what it is you are reading you call or page as the others have said. It's the attitude that follows that page which I really get steamed at. I LOVE the electronic ordering system at my hospital for this and many other reasons.

~JenRN