What is documentation?

Documentation is an essential part of patient care, especially when you are working as a member of a hospice team. Hospice documentation involves writing down everything you did, observed, and discussed with the patient and their family during your visit. This includes the care you provided, any changes in the patient’s health, and specific events that could impact the patient’s future health. Documentation is like a diary that keeps track of the patient’s journey, making sure everyone involved in the patient’s care is on the same page.

Why is documentation important?

Documentation is a way for the team members to share information about the patient’s health condition and any changes in the patient’s condition. It also serves as legal proof of the care that was provided to the patient. More specifically, there are a number of reasons why documentation is important:

• Communication with the care team: Since hospice care involves multiple healthcare professionals, documentation helps everyone stay informed. Not all members of the care team are present during each patient visit. Notes in the medical record provide vital updates on the patient’s condition and ensure that all members of the care team know how the patient is doing and can make informed decisions about patient care based upon the most up-to-date information about the patient’s health status.
• Legal requirements: Documentation is also a legal requirement. Documentation serves as proof that a patient visit occurred and that specific care was provided. If something goes wrong or if there is a legal question about the patient’s care, the notes in the patient’s medical record can be used to show what happened and when.
• Continuity of care: Proper documentation ensures that the care plan is followed consistently. It helps the team track the patient’s progress and make any changes to the patient’s care, as needed. Without accurate records, important details may be missed which can lead to gaps in the patient’s care.

Guidelines for good documentation

As we have discussed, documentation plays a critical role in helping with communication between the members of the care team, helping meet legal requirements, and in ensuring continuity of patient care. So how can you make sure that the documentation that you write is good documentation — that it is clear, accurate, and useful? The following are some guidelines to follow:

• Document right after the visit: Document your visit immediately after you complete your visit. This helps you remember exactly what happened and ensures that your notes are fresh and accurate.
• Be clear: Think about what you want to write before you start. Make sure your notes are easy for other members of the care team to understand. Write your notes in a way that it is easy to follow, so that others can quickly find the information that they need.
• Stick to the facts: Only write down what actually happened. Avoid including your opinions or assumptions.
• Use quotation marks: If a patient or family member says something important, include their exact words in quotation marks. This helps convey the exact message they intended.
• List your tasks: Write down any tasks you did, helped with, or observed.
• Be specific: Include specific information to help other members of the care team better understand the patient’s current condition. Examples of specific details are (depending on role):
  • Patient’s mood
  • Any pain or changes in pain
  • How well patient moved around
  • Changes in appetite
  • Weight changes
  • Changes in need for oxygen
  • Increased or decreased difficulty breathing

Conclusion

Good documentation is more than just writing things down. It is a vital part of providing high quality care. By keeping accurate, detailed, and timely records you help ensure that the patient receives the best possible care and you fulfill your legal responsibilities as a healthcare provider. When in doubt, always ask for help to make sure that your documentation is accurate and useful. Your supervisor, clinical director, or members of your QAPI team are all great resources in case you have questions.

Where can you find more information?

• CGS – Hospice documentation
• Hospice documentation tips