Tip of the week: Color-code observation patients
Case Management Weekly, January 11, 2006
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If your hospital does not have its own observation status ward, it might be wise to consider a color-coding system to track observation patients.
For example, you might make everything that relates to observation patients (e.g., face sheets, addressograph plates, ID bands) green. This allows case managers and nurses to quickly identify and regularly reassess patients.
Ideally, if space permitted, an entire area would be dedicated to observation. Patients are less likely to get lost in the shuffle when assigned to a designated place, and fewer errors are made. If this is not possible, color-coding is an effective alternative.
Source: Patient Flow Weekly, HcPro, Inc
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