Horrible Handwriting

[Tazmaniac]

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So I wanted to know if anyone else had similar experience.

I was in my Internal Med rotation with a community IM doc who was quite busy (as well as disgruntled), and I would see approx. 10-15 patients per day in his clinics. Problem is, he keeps handwritten charts.

Only "written" is not applicable.

He has quite possibly the worst handwriting of all neurologically unimpaired people ever. And of course, I'm supposed to garner patient information from these charts; it invariably turns out that the patient doesn't remember the names or reasons of his/her 6 heart pills. "But it's red, round, and I take it twice a day," is about what they say, which helps none. There are 6 lines of long words but are completely illegible.

It's especially worse with the "Chart"-o-megaly patients with an Assessment/Plan section of a novel.

Just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this frustration.

-Todd MS IV

 

[doepug]

Hey Todd,

Maybe you can play this game by writing a generic clinic note, for example:

75 yo WF w/mult medical problems presents in her usual state of health for f/u. The pt was afebrile, VSS, physical exam unchanged. The pt was encouraged to eat a healthier diet. She will continue her current regimen and f/u in clinic in 4-6 months.

Perhaps if you write it for every patient, your attending will eventually take notice and form a coherent assessment and plan.

Two can play this game.

Cheers,
doepug (MS IV)

 

[Tazmaniac]

That's quite a lengthy note. How about:

75yo F doing well, no complaints, no PE findings. Diet advised, RTC 6 mo.

Of course, that's about what the IM doc wrote, though I couldn't read it worth crap.

-Todd MS IV

 

[shag]

Originally posted by Tazmaniac
That's quite a lengthy note. How about:

75yo F doing well, no complaints, no PE findings. Diet advised, RTC 6 mo.

Of course, that's about what the IM doc wrote, though I couldn't read it worth crap.

-Todd MS IV

Todd, you must be a medicine guy with these long notes! 🙂

Try this:

75yof s c/o; PE wnl; dt advised; RTC6mo.

 

[starayamoskva]

Originally posted by Tazmaniac
So I wanted to know if anyone else had similar experience.


Just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this frustration.

-Todd MS IV

EVERY nurse in the world. So think about it when you are writing orders. Seriously though, if you get him to translate a few things for you you should be able to read even the worse handwriting with practice.

J
(RN in a previous life)