(a) This control attempt may not be effective for many reasons. It may not be enough time to check the charts every week for errors and catch them quickly. This approach, which focuses on correcting errors once they occur, is not proactive but reactive. This approach can lead to mistrust among employees and micromanagement, which could result in lower job satisfaction and productivity.
(b) An internal control that the manager could set up to improve problems with charting is to implement a peer review process, where nursing staff review each other’s charts on a regular basis to catch and correct errors. This is proactive, and it can reduce the likelihood of errors occurring. Implementing a chart audit tool such as a checklist, flowchart or checklist can standardize charting and help ensure all information is included.
An external control that the manager could set up is to work with the organization’s quality improvement department to develop and implement evidence-based charting guidelines and protocols. External experts can be consulted to ensure the process of charting is consistent with industry best practices. Managers might also consider using a charting software that has built-in alerts and error-checking, which will reduce the need to manually review charts and improve the timeliness and accuracy of documentation.