Katie Farnsworth

 Objective #1: Learn how to chart daily follow-up of the children's progress on the unit

Activities/Resources:

• Observe my career mentor while she charts the daily progress, concerns, set-backs, etc. of the children she is assigned to

• Eventually take over charting completely for my career mentor with her supervision

• Discuss material contained in charts with staff members during team meetings

Evidence:

• Include a few sample charts with no identifying information about patients in my portfolio

The following three documents present sample charts of three individual patients on the CPIS unit, with identifying information removed. Charting the daily progress of the children on the unit is exceptionally important because it allows the second and third shift staff to see how each child's day has been, and what to watch for. Charting is also important for the doctors to review because it allows them to further decide which children can leave the hospital, which ones need more time, and whether any of them need a change in medication. While charting, it is important to note: the child's mood and affect, whether they were able to maintain safety, how many quiet room uses they had, and how difficult situations were handled by staff. Charting allows staff members to review documents daily and see which children are improving, and which are not.

In order to learn how to chart, I first observed my career mentor while she charted on each child she was assigned to for the day. While I observed her, I offered any input I may have had and checked in with the children to see how their days had been going, and whether they had any concerns. After doing this for a few weeks, my mentor allowed me to chart by myself on one child while she did the other. Once I felt as though I had done all I could do, my mentor would review my notes and offer suggestions. This also gave me an opportunity to build rapport with the children, making it easier for them to express their concerns to me. I included these sample charts as evidence that I now know how to chart completely on my own, and as proof that I have been working on this objective throughout my time at CPIS.

Click the Following Documents Below to Review Sample Charts