So why is it some nurses feel compelled to save every piece of paper they've ever put their hand on? I've been trying to clean out my office and have found papers in there from previous directors that are 5 and 6 years old. It doesn't matter any more that Suzy Sunshine needed a lip plate in 2006.
Why keep all the old pharmacy recommendations? The recs are in the medical records so why save copies? Why save the dietary report when the dietitian has her own copy?
I am SO looking forward to EMR so we won't be buried in a sea of papers.
I save incident reports for a year, reportables to DPH with statements for the year, but other than that what is the point?
3/4s of the stuff I found in the filing cabinets (have been there a year and never had time to clean the office before) is going to Iron Mountain.
DebRN, I was thinking 5-7 also for incident reports as well. I think they are treated more like a part of the record, even though not filed there. More so than our QA type documents.
Our event reports state at the top that they are for QA purposes. Everything on them is on the chart, nothing more. I also keep a log which has everything itemized on it.
LOL...the vodka smelled like fingernail polish remover so it went down the sink. I've been in long term care for years and years and never once had a surveyor ask for a consultant report....watch...this'll be the first year they ask. I can always call the consultant and have him fax me a copy.
I would replace the Vodka, you never know when a surveyor will ask for it! ;)
;)
noc4senuf
683 Posts
Depends what your regs state.... never had an issue in WI or MN