1 5
N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 4 | O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
IDEAS
That Work
DICTATION NUMBER
How to Track Op Notes
O
ur facility was having a hard time tracking completion of opera-
tive dictations. We implemented a practice whereby residents
document the dictation number as an addendum to their brief
op note so we could track completion of dictation
and refer back for missing dictations. We review
each record the day after surgery for verification. If
there's no dictation number, we contact the sur-
geon. Our rate of dictated cases within 24 hours of
surgery has gone from 60% to 100%. We find
missing cases almost immediately since there
is a reference number to give transcription.
Clara Kistner, RN
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
Houston, Texas
kistner.claram@va.gov
I
nstead of nudging patients or shouting at
them until they wake up, gently brush their
eyelashes with your finger. Patients usual-
ly try to wipe away whatever is tickling their
eye and they wake up much more gently.
Denese Rakestraw, RN
Prince William Surgery Center
Manassas, Va.
drakestraw@pwasc.org
GENTLE AWAKENINGS
Try Tickling Their Eyelashes
