News & Events Display
ARNNL releases new Documentation Standards for Registered Nurses
Type: Media Releases
Website: /documents/publications/DocumentationStandards2010.pdf
Date Posted: Wed, Mar 31 2010
ARNNL releases new Documentation Standards for Registered Nurses.
St. John’s, NL – ARNNL has released its new Documentation Standards for Registered Nurses, which identifies the responsibilities of all Registered Nurses (RNs) to document the care they provide. The paper, the first of its kind published by the ARNNL, is framed to explain the Who, What, When and Why of documentation and will be used by RNs and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in both practice and education.
“The document answers some of the commonly asked questions nurses raise with ARNNL,” said James Feltham, President. “It will help to improve communication between the health care team, support continuity of care, promote quality improvement and demonstrate professional accountability. We are pleased to be able to provide nurses with this guide to help them in their practice.”
In all the paper addresses 24 different topics, including direction on the use of abbreviations, correcting errors, and cosigning. The need for documentation standards was identified by nurses in 2007 and this final product was developed with the assistance of a working group composed of RNs from all across the province.
Pegi Earle, Executive Director of the ARNNL, noted that the release of the paper is not only important, but timely: “Although the importance of documentation has always been taught and understood in nursing, this paper puts in writing the RNs professional expectations for this key component of practice. It is very timely as it also includes important points around electronic records and the environmental factors that can influence the RNs ability to document as required.”
The Documentation Standards for Registered Nurses is available for viewing at www.arnnl.ca, under the practice/position statements tab.
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Stakeholder contact:
Lynn Power
Director of Policy and Practice
Phone: 709.753.6193
E-Mail:lpower@arnnl.ca