Reading the handwriting of
the doctor, or doctors, that you work with can be a job within itself. Asking your doctor to reiterate what is written can time consuming and irritating
for the both of you, however, it is important that you decipher the information
properly.
According to Time
magazine, more than 7,000 people die because of sloppy handwriting per year.
Therefore, it may be difficult to understand another person's handwriting,
however, there are ways you can figure out what it says before moving forward.
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Be Persistent
Ask your doctor instead of
assuming you know what it says, as going directly to the source is the only
sure way to figure out what he or she is trying to say. Unfortunately, a busy
doctor might not have the time or the patience to take a moment to read their own handwriting. If this is the case, try to
address the situation as soon as possible.
Keep Track of Recurring Symbols and Abbreviations
Certain
abbreviations and shortcuts are taken
when doctors jot down whatever they may be writing. The International Nurses
Association recommends that you be mindful of what doctors are writing what scripts or
requests, and keep track of any recurring symbols or abbreviations they might
use when writing. By doing so, you'll be able to
decipher what they are saying easily, and you will limit the amount of times
you'll have to address a doctor on what certain thigns say.
Below are a few examples
that you may encounter on the job:
·
P – Plan
·
O/E – On
Examination
·
IUD –
Intrauterine Device
·
RTC – Return
to Clinic
·
U/S –
Ultrasound
·
D&C –
Dilation and Curettage
Search It
If you are able to decipher
part of the word, try and search it online and see if any terms appear. If
nothing pops up, try asking your colleagues to see if they encountered the same
issue as you did. They may end up having useful information on how to figure
out what certain doctors are saying with their own personal experiences.
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There's an App for That
No, really. There is an
application that you can use to scan a section of writing and deciphers it for
you. Of course, this cannot be relied on entirely.
Ask for confirmation from your doctor that it is what they were trying to
convey if they are willing to hear it.
Moving Forward
Although trying to
understand what the doctor is trying to say can be difficult at times, don't be
afraid to ask for help, whether it's from the doctor, or help from another
colleague. It is important to figure out what is written, as it can affect the
lives of all of your patients.
By using your common sense
and medical skills, reading your doctor’s notes will be much
easier. Deciphering these notes will be a skill that you will cultivate and
master throughout your nursing career.
What tips can you offer to other nurses who
struggle to decipher their doctors' handwriting?
Related: International Nurses
Association
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