Accreditation

Write off illegibility problems with ’STAR’

Accreditation Connection, October 17, 2005

To give physicians and staff the tools to meet your expectations, teach the "STAR" method, says Robert Marder, MD, practice director of quality and patient safety for The Greeley Company in Marblehead, MA. STAR is a four-step process that includes the following:

1. Stop before acting.

2. Think of the goal (e.g., a legible order set or record) and the method of reaching the goal (e.g., slow writing).

3. Act. Write the order or note slowly.

4. Review. Ask doctors to look at their writing to make sure they can read it. If they can't, others won't be able to either. Fix problems immediately to avoid problems later.

Adapted from the October issue of Medical Records Briefing.

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