efficient note writing

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armonia

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Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone had any tips about writing notes efficiently while on a medicine rotation. Both the HPI and A/P take me awhile. I've started writing out the meds and a making a skeleton the night before for progress notes but that's not really possible with admission notes. Interns and residents seem to write their notes in a flash and if they've got the A/P solidified, I'm finding that I don't get a chance to come up with/develop my own ideas before we discuss it. Not exactly optimal for learning. Any thoughts or tips?
Thanks!

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armonia said:
Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone had any tips about writing notes efficiently while on a medicine rotation. Both the HPI and A/P take me awhile. I've started writing out the meds and a making a skeleton the night before for progress notes but that's not really possible with admission notes. Interns and residents seem to write their notes in a flash and if they've got the A/P solidified, I'm finding that I don't get a chance to come up with/develop my own ideas before we discuss it. Not exactly optimal for learning. Any thoughts or tips?
Thanks!

You can skeletonize the H&P, just write the headings in (HPI, PMHx, etc) with the amount of space you think you'll need. If anything it makes you more concise, and also helps remind you what information you need so you don't forget any major categories. You can also use the index card method to take down notes in brief, and then write out a more formal H&P when you have time. That way you have time to get your A/P together after you get the history, but before you write the whole thing out. Hope that helps 🙂
 
It just takes practice and repetition is the key. At the beginning of my medicine rotation, I took a long time writing out a H&P (1-1.5 hours) but after doing about 100 admits as well as 3-4 soap notes a day during my 3 month in IM, I can do it in my sleep now.
armonia said:
Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone had any tips about writing notes efficiently while on a medicine rotation. Both the HPI and A/P take me awhile. I've started writing out the meds and a making a skeleton the night before for progress notes but that's not really possible with admission notes. Interns and residents seem to write their notes in a flash and if they've got the A/P solidified, I'm finding that I don't get a chance to come up with/develop my own ideas before we discuss it. Not exactly optimal for learning. Any thoughts or tips?
Thanks!
 
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I found this helpful to have in my PDA.

DISCLAIMER: Use at your own risk!

SAMPLE FLOOR NOTES

* Admit/Transfer Orders

------------------------------------

ADMIT/TRANSFER: floor, room, service, attending, residents.

DIAGNOSIS: list in order of priority.

CONDITION: good, stable, fair, guarded, critical, etc.

VITALS: q4h, q shift, routine.

ACTIVITY: ad lib, bed rest, up to chair, ambulate tid, etc.

DIET: regular, ADA (diabetic), low sodium, clear liquid, NPO, etc.

INS AND OUTS: strict, routine, ad lib, etc.

IV FLUIDS: D5NS at 120 mL/h, etc.

DRAINS: Foley to gravity, nasogastric tube to intermittent suction, etc.

MEDS: antibiotics, anticoagulants, antiemetics, insulin, O2, pain meds, etc.

ALLERGIES: specific medications, NKDA, etc.

LABS: CBC, chemistries, X-rays, EKGs, pulse oximetries, etc.

MONITORS: arterial line, noninvasive BP, CVP, pulse ox, telemetry, etc.

RESPIRATORY CARE: nebulizer treatments, endotracheal suctioning, etc.

DRESSING CARE: dressing changes, compression stockings, etc.

HOUSE OFFICER CALLS: Notify H.O. if BP>150/100, temp>101 deg. F, etc.



* Off-Service Note

------------------------------------

ADMIT DATE:



ADMIT DIAGNOSIS: list in order of importance.

HOSPITAL COURSE: changes over time, lab studies, procedures, results.

PHYSICAL EXAM: brief, targeted.

PROBLEM LIST: list in order of importance.

ASSESSMENT: based on above data.

PLAN: medication changes, lab tests, procedures, consults, etc.



* Progress Note (SOAP Note)

------------------------------------

S: patient comments or complaints, nursing comments.

O: VITALS: blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temp, weight, O2 sat.

INS/OUTS: IV fluid, PO intake, emesis, urine, stool, drains.

EXAM: physical findings.

MEDS: pertinent routine or new medications.

LABS: new laboratory or procedure results.

A: assessments based on above data.

P: medication changes, lab tests, procedures, consults, discharge, etc.



* Discharge Note

------------------------------------

ADMISSION/DISCHARGE DATES:



ADMISSION/DISCHARGE DIAGNOSES:



SERVICE: service name, attending, residents.

REFERRING PHYSICIAN:



CONSULTS: physicians, services, dates.

PROCEDURES: dates of surgery, lumbar punctures, angiograms, etc.

HISTORY, PHYSICAL EXAM: pertinent admission H&P and lab tests.

COURSE: summary of the treatment and progress during hospital stay.

DISCHARGE CONDITION: good, stable, fair, guarded, critical, etc.

DISPOSITION: discharged to home, specific nursing home, etc.

MEDICATIONS: discharge meds with dosage, administration, refills.

INSTRUCTIONS: activity restrictions, diet, dressing and/or cast care, symptoms to warrant further treatment, etc.

FOLLOW-UP: follow-up appointment, emergency phone number, etc.



* Preoperative Note

------------------------------------

PRE-OP DIAGNOSIS:



PROCEDURE: planned surgery.

LABS: CBC, chemistries, PT/PTT, urinalysis, etc.

CHEST X-RAY: note findings.

EKG: note findings.

BLOOD: not needed, type/screen or type/cross 2 units packed RBCs, etc.

ORDERS: NPO, preoperative antibiotics, skin or colon preps, etc.

CONSENT: signed and on chart (if so).



* Operative Note

------------------------------------

PRE-OP DIAGNOSIS:



POST-OP DIAGNOSIS:



PROCEDURE: surgery performed.

SURGEONS: attending, residents, students who scrubbed.

FINDINGS: acutely inflamed gallbladder, 4-cm. diameter cyst, etc.

ANESTHESIA: general endotracheal (GETA), spinal, local, etc.

FLUIDS: amount and type (electrolytes, blood, etc. in cc or units).

ESTIMATED BLOOD LOSS: amount in cc.

DRAINS: type and location (T-tube in RUQ, etc.).

SPECIMENS: type sent to pathology (gallbladder and cystic duct, etc.).

COMPLICATIONS:



CONDITION: stable, extubated, transferred to recovery room, etc.



* Post-Operative Note

------------------------------------

PROCEDURE: surgery performed.

S: patient comments or complaints, nursing comments, CHECK consciousness (alert, oriented, drowsy), pain control, etc.

O: VITALS: blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temp, O2 sat, etc.

INS/OUTS: IV fluid, PO intake, emesis, urine, stool, drains, etc.

EXAM: physical findings (incision/dressing, neurovascular status, etc.).

LABS: results of any since surgery.

A: assessment based on above data.

P: medication changes, lab tests, procedures, consults, discharge, etc.



* Procedure Note

------------------------------------

PROCEDURE:



CONSENT: Procedure, benefits, risks (include those of bleeding, infection, injury, and anesthesia), and alternatives explained to the patient who voiced understanding of the information and agreed to proceed with the (spinal tap, thoracentesis, paracentesis, etc.) Consent signed and on chart (if so).

INDICATION: meningitis, pleural effusion, ascites, etc.

PHYSICIAN(S):



DESCRIPTION: Area prepped and draped in a sterile fashion. (Local, spinal, etc.) anesthetic administered with (cc medication). Describe technique including instruments, body location, occurrences, etc.

COMPLICATIONS:



ESTIMATED BLOOD LOSS: amount in cc.

DISPOSITION: Pt. alert, oriented, and resting; breathing nonlabored; extremities neurovascularly intact; incision clean, dry and intact; etc.



* Delivery Note

------------------------------------

On (delivery date, time) this (age, race) female under (epidural, pudendal, local, no) anesthesia delivered a viable (male, female) infant weighing (weight) with APGAR scores of (0-10) and (0-10) at 1 and 5 minutes. Delivery was via (SVD, LTCS, classical CS) to a sterile field. (Nuchal cord reduced.) Infant was (bulb, DeLee) suctioned at (perineum, delivery). Cord clamped and cut and infant handed to waiting (pediatrician, nurse). (Cord blood sent for analysis.) (Weight) (intact, fragmented, meconium stained) placenta with (2,3) vessel cord delivered (spontaneously, with manual extraction) at (time). (Amount) of (IV oxytocin, IM methylergonovine) given. (Uterus, cervix, vagina, rectum) explored and (midline episiotomy, nth degree laceration, uterus and abdominal incision) repaired in a normal fashion with (type) suture. EBL (amount). Patient taken to RR in stable condition. infant taken to NBN in stable condition. Dr. (name) attending.



* Postpartum Note

------------------------------------

S: patient comments or complaints, nursing comments, CHECK pain control, breast tenderness, quantity of vaginal bleeding, urination, flatus, bowel movement, lower extremity swelling, ambulation, breast or bottle feed, birth control type.

O: VITALS: blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temp.

INS/OUTS: IV fluid, PO intake, emesis, urine, stool.

EXAM: breath sounds, bowel sounds, fundal height/consistency, incision/episiotomy condition, lower extremity edema, Homan's sign.

MEDS: RhoGAM, pain med, iron, vitamins, stool softener.

LABS: CBC, Rd status.

A: assessments based on above data.

P: medication changes, lab tests, procedures, consults, discharge, etc.
 
Doesn't maxwell pretty much have the exact same thing?
KentW said:
I found this helpful to have in my PDA.

DISCLAIMER: Use at your own risk!

SAMPLE FLOOR NOTES

* Admit/Transfer Orders

------------------------------------

ADMIT/TRANSFER: floor, room, service, attending, residents.

DIAGNOSIS: list in order of priority.

CONDITION: good, stable, fair, guarded, critical, etc.

VITALS: q4h, q shift, routine.

ACTIVITY: ad lib, bed rest, up to chair, ambulate tid, etc.

DIET: regular, ADA (diabetic), low sodium, clear liquid, NPO, etc.

INS AND OUTS: strict, routine, ad lib, etc.

IV FLUIDS: D5NS at 120 mL/h, etc.

DRAINS: Foley to gravity, nasogastric tube to intermittent suction, etc.

MEDS: antibiotics, anticoagulants, antiemetics, insulin, O2, pain meds, etc.

ALLERGIES: specific medications, NKDA, etc.

LABS: CBC, chemistries, X-rays, EKGs, pulse oximetries, etc.

MONITORS: arterial line, noninvasive BP, CVP, pulse ox, telemetry, etc.

RESPIRATORY CARE: nebulizer treatments, endotracheal suctioning, etc.

DRESSING CARE: dressing changes, compression stockings, etc.

HOUSE OFFICER CALLS: Notify H.O. if BP>150/100, temp>101 deg. F, etc.



* Off-Service Note

------------------------------------

ADMIT DATE:



ADMIT DIAGNOSIS: list in order of importance.

HOSPITAL COURSE: changes over time, lab studies, procedures, results.

PHYSICAL EXAM: brief, targeted.

PROBLEM LIST: list in order of importance.

ASSESSMENT: based on above data.

PLAN: medication changes, lab tests, procedures, consults, etc.



* Progress Note (SOAP Note)

------------------------------------

S: patient comments or complaints, nursing comments.

O: VITALS: blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temp, weight, O2 sat.

INS/OUTS: IV fluid, PO intake, emesis, urine, stool, drains.

EXAM: physical findings.

MEDS: pertinent routine or new medications.

LABS: new laboratory or procedure results.

A: assessments based on above data.

P: medication changes, lab tests, procedures, consults, discharge, etc.



* Discharge Note

------------------------------------

ADMISSION/DISCHARGE DATES:



ADMISSION/DISCHARGE DIAGNOSES:



SERVICE: service name, attending, residents.

REFERRING PHYSICIAN:



CONSULTS: physicians, services, dates.

PROCEDURES: dates of surgery, lumbar punctures, angiograms, etc.

HISTORY, PHYSICAL EXAM: pertinent admission H&P and lab tests.

COURSE: summary of the treatment and progress during hospital stay.

DISCHARGE CONDITION: good, stable, fair, guarded, critical, etc.

DISPOSITION: discharged to home, specific nursing home, etc.

MEDICATIONS: discharge meds with dosage, administration, refills.

INSTRUCTIONS: activity restrictions, diet, dressing and/or cast care, symptoms to warrant further treatment, etc.

FOLLOW-UP: follow-up appointment, emergency phone number, etc.



* Preoperative Note

------------------------------------

PRE-OP DIAGNOSIS:



PROCEDURE: planned surgery.

LABS: CBC, chemistries, PT/PTT, urinalysis, etc.

CHEST X-RAY: note findings.

EKG: note findings.

BLOOD: not needed, type/screen or type/cross 2 units packed RBCs, etc.

ORDERS: NPO, preoperative antibiotics, skin or colon preps, etc.

CONSENT: signed and on chart (if so).



* Operative Note

------------------------------------

PRE-OP DIAGNOSIS:



POST-OP DIAGNOSIS:



PROCEDURE: surgery performed.

SURGEONS: attending, residents, students who scrubbed.

FINDINGS: acutely inflamed gallbladder, 4-cm. diameter cyst, etc.

ANESTHESIA: general endotracheal (GETA), spinal, local, etc.

FLUIDS: amount and type (electrolytes, blood, etc. in cc or units).

ESTIMATED BLOOD LOSS: amount in cc.

DRAINS: type and location (T-tube in RUQ, etc.).

SPECIMENS: type sent to pathology (gallbladder and cystic duct, etc.).

COMPLICATIONS:



CONDITION: stable, extubated, transferred to recovery room, etc.



* Post-Operative Note

------------------------------------

PROCEDURE: surgery performed.

S: patient comments or complaints, nursing comments, CHECK consciousness (alert, oriented, drowsy), pain control, etc.

O: VITALS: blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temp, O2 sat, etc.

INS/OUTS: IV fluid, PO intake, emesis, urine, stool, drains, etc.

EXAM: physical findings (incision/dressing, neurovascular status, etc.).

LABS: results of any since surgery.

A: assessment based on above data.

P: medication changes, lab tests, procedures, consults, discharge, etc.



* Procedure Note

------------------------------------

PROCEDURE:



CONSENT: Procedure, benefits, risks (include those of bleeding, infection, injury, and anesthesia), and alternatives explained to the patient who voiced understanding of the information and agreed to proceed with the (spinal tap, thoracentesis, paracentesis, etc.) Consent signed and on chart (if so).

INDICATION: meningitis, pleural effusion, ascites, etc.

PHYSICIAN(S):



DESCRIPTION: Area prepped and draped in a sterile fashion. (Local, spinal, etc.) anesthetic administered with (cc medication). Describe technique including instruments, body location, occurrences, etc.

COMPLICATIONS:



ESTIMATED BLOOD LOSS: amount in cc.

DISPOSITION: Pt. alert, oriented, and resting; breathing nonlabored; extremities neurovascularly intact; incision clean, dry and intact; etc.



* Delivery Note

------------------------------------

On (delivery date, time) this (age, race) female under (epidural, pudendal, local, no) anesthesia delivered a viable (male, female) infant weighing (weight) with APGAR scores of (0-10) and (0-10) at 1 and 5 minutes. Delivery was via (SVD, LTCS, classical CS) to a sterile field. (Nuchal cord reduced.) Infant was (bulb, DeLee) suctioned at (perineum, delivery). Cord clamped and cut and infant handed to waiting (pediatrician, nurse). (Cord blood sent for analysis.) (Weight) (intact, fragmented, meconium stained) placenta with (2,3) vessel cord delivered (spontaneously, with manual extraction) at (time). (Amount) of (IV oxytocin, IM methylergonovine) given. (Uterus, cervix, vagina, rectum) explored and (midline episiotomy, nth degree laceration, uterus and abdominal incision) repaired in a normal fashion with (type) suture. EBL (amount). Patient taken to RR in stable condition. infant taken to NBN in stable condition. Dr. (name) attending.



* Postpartum Note

------------------------------------

S: patient comments or complaints, nursing comments, CHECK pain control, breast tenderness, quantity of vaginal bleeding, urination, flatus, bowel movement, lower extremity swelling, ambulation, breast or bottle feed, birth control type.

O: VITALS: blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temp.

INS/OUTS: IV fluid, PO intake, emesis, urine, stool.

EXAM: breath sounds, bowel sounds, fundal height/consistency, incision/episiotomy condition, lower extremity edema, Homan's sign.

MEDS: RhoGAM, pain med, iron, vitamins, stool softener.

LABS: CBC, Rd status.

A: assessments based on above data.

P: medication changes, lab tests, procedures, consults, discharge, etc.
 
To speed things up:
go straight into the patient's room, talk to them while examining them, and then take the chart and sit down in front of a computer.
Pay no attention to distractions going on around you (ie don't look up) - focus on the note, and use past notes written by the intern as a template. The A&P is the most important part. Try to budget space, use plenty of negative space to make the note easier to read, be succinct. Keep it under one page, with space for the resident's comments at the bottom. Never leave it unfinished.
 
carrigallen said:
use plenty of negative space to make the note easier to read

By negative space, I'm assuming you mean white space which is a great idea except don't leave blank lines, which are often frowned upon because, theoretically, someone could write on that line and make it look like part of your note.
 
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