Nursing Practice Tip: Documentation “Never” Events!!

I think we’d all like our roles as nurses a whole lot better if we didn’t have to document. I hear nurses say all the time that they spend more time DOCUMENTING than taking care of patients. And sometimes, I agree.

But documentation is an important part of what we do. Why? Well, documentation helps providers identify problems and make appropriate treatment decisions; allows you to take credit for the work you do; ensures that you’re practicing according to standards of care; and helps your organization get the maximum reimbursement for your hard work!!

However, documentation can also be used against a nurse – especially when patients have bad outcomes.

NEW NURSE TIP: THE MAGIC OF TRENDING

Caring for patients is getting more complex. One reason is that only the really sick are actually admitted to a hospital – everyone else is being treated as an outpatient. Years ago on a medsurg unit with a 6:1 assignment, you would have one or two really sick patients; the rest were “walkie talkies.”  Now you have the same number of patients but they’re all really sick!

To effectively care for patients requires you to anticipate problems early and intervene quickly. One of the best ways to do this is by understanding the importance of trending.

TIPS FOR NEW NURSES: BEWARE OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA SIRENS

Social media is everywhere. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Diggs, Google+, etc…heck, you can’t even watch a television show without being bombarded by their social media marketing plugs. Almost everybody has at least a Facebook Page – schools, health care organizations and even the mom and pop shops are utilizing it to market their business. 95% of all students use Facebook and are on the site multiple times a day! It’s great isn’t it? You get to see what’s happening with your friends and family, check out the latest and greatest products and offers from the companies you like, learn something and even get a good laugh (or cry) from a great video post.  It’s mesmerizing and alluring. But be warned. Like the Sirens in Greek mythology who lured nearby sailors through music to their ultimate death, social media can derail your career as a nurse before it even starts – if you’re not careful.