Die pasiëntvorderingsverslag as kommunikasiemiddel

The patient’s progress report should be the most important medium of communication in nursing practise. As a result of various factors, however, this report is today often incomplete and not serving its purpose of providing total insight into the progress and treatment of the individual patient. Possible solutions to the problems encountered are patient-centred nursing care plans and problem oriented progress reports. These are however not always practical, given the realities and needs in most nursing units in South African hospitals. The author suggests an alternative system, using elements from both the above, which can be used to eliminate the problems and to change the kardex system into the effective group communication tool which it should be. The system includes the use of a Special Nursing Care Prescriptions Card which is placed with the usual progress report, clearer reporting on the patient’s condition by eliminating unqualified phrases such as “ condition satisfactory” and a special admission form which is also placed in the kardex