INDEX

Downtime

Table of Contents:

• Whiteboard

• Orders

• Labs

• Radiology

• Documentation

• Disposition

• Housewide Instructions

Cross References:

• None

• The whiteboard is your tracking board when FirstNet is down.

• Use RED magnets to indicate new orders.

• Use GREEN magnets to indicate discharge.

• It is recommended to directly communicate with the nurse when new orders are written, including instructions for admission or discharge.

• Initial orders are placed on the ED-specific order sheet, which has several checkbox-style orders to help speed things along.

• All subsequent orders should be placed on a NEW order sheet. This helps to ensure new orders are reviewed by the nurse.

• Lab results may be faxed to the pod’s printer or placed in a bin at the ED lab window.

• Someone should be designated to check these locations throughout the downtime.

• To view images, you can log into iSite independently of FirstNet.

• Reports can be obtained in real-time by clicking on the results icon on the top left of the study. It looks like a white notepad. There will be red text on the icon when a report is finalized.

• If a printed report is needed during this period, please call 4-1500 or 4-1539, which will be manned during the downtime period. They will fax reports to these printers:

  • UED (NC1460X)

  • HED (SHER3500)

  • GED (GFED1060B)

• Radiology staff will also be available in the Abdominal Imaging Reading Room at the following numbers to verbally convey urgent findings: 4-1500 & 4-1539

• Most downtimes are only a few hours at most, so it is recommended that physicians use something like the template provided below, or their own notes, to keep track of the patients they've seen that need documentation.

• Once FirstNet is back online, create a fresh ED Physician Note, copy and paste your notes/template, and remember to back-date & time when signing the note to reflect the time you actually saw the patient.

• For long downtimes, there are paper T-sheet templates for documentation, but these can cause downstream issues because of a spotty process of scanning them into the record. All necessary elements must be filled out on these sheets and the attending's name must be printed legibly and signed.

• Admitting: Paper bed requests that are filled out and given to the unit secretary.

• Discharging: There are paper discharge papers where you can write instructions and follow-up information. Use the prescription pads for prescriptions. Use the GREEN magnet to flag the patient for discharge.

• Whether admitting or discharging, communicate directly with the nurse.

KEYWORDS: downtime, computer