Documentation Question and Hello

[jcl91827]

I am new, learning documentation symbols and shortcuts, one instructor told me about the pitchfork to use for psychiatric patients is this good to use?

:unsure:

 

[Shishkabob]

Use only the symbols that are pre-approved by your agency, which, if any good, should provide a list.


Even then, don't use too many symbols in your report, and only the ones that you can recall off-hand what they mean.

 

[JPINFV]

I'm still trying to figure out why someone would need a psi symbol to describe a patient with a psychiatric disorder. Do you use "DM" as a replacement for "patient" for patients with diabetes?

 

[Veneficus]

I'm still trying to figure out why someone would need a psi symbol to describe a patient with a psychiatric disorder. Do you use "DM" as a replacement for "patient" for patients with diabetes?

It may be a hold over from the days when EDs kept their census on dry erase or chalk boards, since the patients could usually readily see them from the rooms it was always a good idea not to write "psych" on something they could readily read and identify themselves with.

I have not seen the practice since computer charting technology became more of the norm than the exception.

With the rate of change in EMS maybe it is a hold over?