CareLog Documentation

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Nurse User Guide ​

This comprehensive guide covers all nursing features and workflows in CareLog.

Getting Started ​

Logging In ​

  1. Open CareLog in your browser
  2. Enter your nurse account email
  3. Enter your password
  4. Click Login

Nurse Dashboard ​

Your dashboard provides at-a-glance information:

  • Pending Emergency Calls: Urgent patient needs
  • Active Patients: Patients currently under your care
  • Recent Health Logs: Latest patient health updates
  • Quick Actions: Fast access to common tasks
  • Notifications: Important alerts and updates

Patient Monitoring ​

Monitor patient health status and trends.

Viewing Health Logs Overview ​

  1. Navigate to Patient Monitoring from the sidebar
  2. View all patient health logs in one place
  3. See key information:
    • Patient name
    • Timestamp
    • Physical status
    • Emotional status
    • Symptoms
    • Sensitive status indicator

Understanding Health Log Data ​

Physical Status ​

Common indicators include:

  • Fever/Temperature
  • Pain levels
  • Fatigue
  • Mobility issues
  • Breathing difficulties

Emotional Status ​

Mental health indicators:

  • Mood changes
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Stress levels

Symptoms ​

Patient-reported symptoms and concerns

INFO

Sensitive Data: You can view all health logs including those marked sensitive, as medical staff have full access for patient care.

Monitoring Patients Effectively ​

Daily Review ​

  • Check health logs at the start of each shift
  • Look for new or worsening symptoms
  • Identify patients needing attention
  • Note any concerning patterns

Trend Analysis ​

  • Compare logs over multiple days
  • Identify improvement or deterioration
  • Watch for recurring issues
  • Track response to treatments

Priority Identification ​

Look for:

  • Sudden status changes
  • Worsening conditions
  • Critical symptoms
  • Missed logging (potential concern)

Emergency Call Response ​

Handle urgent patient care requests - this is a critical nursing function.

Viewing Emergency Calls ​

  1. Navigate to Emergency Responses from the sidebar
  2. See all unresolved emergency calls
  3. Calls are sorted by urgency:
    • CRITICAL: Immediate attention required
    • HIGH: Urgent response needed
    • MEDIUM: Needs attention soon

Understanding Emergency Details ​

Each emergency call shows:

  • Patient Name: Who needs help
  • Urgency Level: How critical the situation is
  • Timestamp: When the call was made
  • Description: What the patient reported
  • Status: Unresolved, In Progress, or Resolved
  • Escalation Status: Whether it's been escalated to doctors

Responding to Emergency Calls ​

Step 1: Assess the Emergency ​

  1. Review the emergency details
  2. Check urgency level
  3. Consider patient's medical history
  4. Determine appropriate response

Step 2: Take Action ​

For Critical Emergencies:

  • Respond immediately
  • Contact emergency services if needed
  • Alert doctors immediately
  • Document all actions taken

For High Priority:

  • Respond within 5-10 minutes
  • Assess if escalation needed
  • Provide immediate care guidance
  • Schedule urgent visit if required

For Medium Priority:

  • Respond within 15-30 minutes
  • Evaluate patient needs
  • Provide appropriate care
  • Monitor situation

Step 3: Respond in System ​

  1. Click on the emergency call

  2. Click Respond to Emergency

  3. Add response notes:

    • Actions taken
    • Patient status after intervention
    • Any recommendations
    • Follow-up required

  4. Mark as Resolved if handled, or Escalate if doctor attention needed

Escalating Emergency Calls ​

When to escalate to doctors:

  • Complex medical decisions required
  • Patient condition beyond nursing scope
  • Deteriorating condition despite intervention
  • Patient specifically requests doctor
  • Diagnosis or prescription changes needed

How to Escalate:

  1. Review the emergency thoroughly
  2. Document your assessment and actions taken
  3. Click Escalate to Doctor
  4. Add escalation notes explaining why
  5. Notify the assigned doctor directly

WARNING

Important: Always escalate when uncertain. Patient safety comes first.

Patient Health Log Management ​

While patients log their own health, nurses can view and interpret this data.

Accessing Patient Health Logs ​

  1. Navigate to Patient Monitoring
  2. View comprehensive health log table
  3. Filter by:
    • Date range
    • Patient
    • Severity
    • Sensitive status

Interpreting Health Logs ​

Look for Warning Signs: ​

  • Fever mentioned repeatedly
  • Pain increasing in severity
  • New symptoms appearing
  • Emotional distress indicators
  • Missed logs for several days

Taking Action: ​

  • Contact patient if concerned
  • Notify doctor of significant changes
  • Update care team on patient status
  • Document your observations

Communication and Collaboration ​

Working with Doctors ​

  • Escalate complex cases
  • Report significant patient changes
  • Follow treatment plans prescribed by doctors
  • Document all observations for doctor review

Working with Patients ​

  • Respond promptly to emergency calls
  • Maintain compassionate communication
  • Provide clear instructions and guidance
  • Follow up on patient concerns

Working with Family Members ​

  • Be aware that family members can view non-sensitive health logs
  • Respect patient privacy boundaries
  • Coordinate with doctors on family communication

Notification Management ​

Stay informed of important updates.

Types of Notifications ​

  • New emergency calls
  • Escalated emergency responses
  • Patient status updates
  • System announcements
  • Shift-related alerts

Managing Notifications ​

  1. Click the notification icon
  2. Review unread notifications
  3. Take appropriate action
  4. Mark as read when handled

TIP

Enable sound notifications for emergency calls to ensure immediate awareness.

Workflow Examples ​

Typical Emergency Response Workflow ​

  1. Receive Emergency Alert

    • Notification appears
    • Review emergency details
    • Check patient medical history

  2. Initial Assessment

    • Evaluate urgency level
    • Determine immediate needs
    • Check if within scope of practice

  3. Take Action

    • Contact patient directly
    • Provide immediate guidance
    • Arrange in-person care if needed
    • Call emergency services if critical

  4. Document Response

    • Record actions taken
    • Note patient status after intervention
    • Mark as resolved or escalate
    • Follow up as needed

Daily Patient Monitoring Routine ​

  1. Start of Shift

    • Review all patient health logs from last shift
    • Check for new emergency calls
    • Note any concerning changes

  2. During Shift

    • Monitor new health log entries
    • Respond to emergency calls as they come
    • Follow up on escalated cases
    • Communicate with doctors on patient status

  3. End of Shift

    • Document all activities
    • Hand off critical cases to next shift
    • Ensure all emergency calls addressed
    • Note any patients needing attention

Escalation Decision Process ​

  1. Initial Response

    • Respond to emergency call
    • Assess patient situation
    • Provide initial care

  2. Evaluate Complexity

    • Is this within nursing scope?
    • Does patient need medication changes?
    • Are symptoms beyond basic care?
    • Is condition deteriorating?

  3. Decision Point

    • Can Handle: Resolve and document
    • Needs Doctor: Escalate with detailed notes

  4. Escalation

    • Document all actions taken
    • Explain reason for escalation
    • Provide recommendations
    • Alert assigned doctor

Best Practices ​

Emergency Response ​

  1. Prioritize Critical Cases: Always address critical emergencies first
  2. Quick Assessment: Make rapid initial assessments
  3. Clear Documentation: Document all actions thoroughly
  4. Appropriate Escalation: Don't hesitate to escalate when needed
  5. Follow-up: Always follow up on resolved emergencies

Patient Monitoring ​

  1. Consistent Review: Check health logs regularly throughout shift
  2. Pattern Recognition: Look for trends, not just individual logs
  3. Proactive Outreach: Contact patients showing concerning signs
  4. Team Communication: Keep doctors informed of significant changes
  5. Privacy Respect: Handle sensitive information appropriately

Documentation ​

  1. Timely Entry: Document actions immediately
  2. Comprehensive Notes: Include all relevant details
  3. Professional Language: Use clear, professional terminology
  4. Objective Recording: Separate facts from interpretations
  5. Complete Records: Ensure all interactions are documented

Safety and Compliance ​

Patient Safety ​

  • Always verify patient identity before providing care
  • Double-check medications and treatments
  • Escalate when unsure about any situation
  • Follow established protocols and procedures
  • Report any safety concerns immediately

Privacy and Confidentiality ​

  • Access only patient information relevant to your care
  • Don't share patient information inappropriately
  • Secure your login credentials
  • Log out when leaving workstation
  • Respect patient privacy preferences

Audit and Accountability ​

  • All your actions are logged in audit trail
  • Ensures accountability and patient safety
  • Helps with quality improvement
  • Cannot be altered or deleted
  • Administrators can review for compliance

Troubleshooting ​

Common Issues ​

Emergency Calls Not Appearing

  • Refresh the page
  • Check notification settings
  • Verify you're logged in correctly

Cannot Respond to Emergency

  • Ensure call hasn't been resolved already
  • Check if you have proper permissions
  • Try refreshing the page

Patient Health Logs Not Visible

  • Verify patient exists in system
  • Check date filters
  • Ensure you have nursing role permissions

System Performance Issues

  • Clear browser cache
  • Try different browser
  • Report persistent issues to IT/admin

Tips for Effective Use ​

  1. Stay Alert: Keep notifications enabled for emergency calls
  2. Regular Checks: Review patient monitoring dashboard frequently
  3. Quick Response: Aim to respond to emergencies within target times
  4. Thorough Documentation: Always document your actions completely
  5. Communicate Effectively: Keep doctors informed of important changes
  6. Continuous Learning: Stay updated on patient care protocols
  7. Work-Life Balance: Use shift handoff features to manage workload

Next Steps ​