Medication Administration - Titration Orders – Documentation During Rapid Titration
Does block charting during the administration of titrated medications take the place of an order?
Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.
Use of block charting is a documentation option that may be used when rapid titration of medication is necessary in specific, urgent/emergent situations. It is permissible to use block charting to document the multiple dose/rate changes made to an infusion over a period of time and within the parameters of the glossary definition.Â
Block charting is defined as a documentation method that can be used when rapid titration of medication is necessary in specific urgent/emergent situations defined in an organization's policy. A single "block" charting episode does not extend beyond a four-hour time frame. If a patient's urgent/emergent situation extends beyond four hours and block charting is continued, a new charting "block" period must be started.  The following minimum elements must be documented in each block charting episode:
This information was also published in the June 2020 edition of Perspectives.
Use of block charting is a documentation option that may be used when rapid titration of medication is necessary in specific, urgent/emergent situations. It is permissible to use block charting to document the multiple dose/rate changes made to an infusion over a period of time and within the parameters of the glossary definition.Â
Block charting is defined as a documentation method that can be used when rapid titration of medication is necessary in specific urgent/emergent situations defined in an organization's policy. A single "block" charting episode does not extend beyond a four-hour time frame. If a patient's urgent/emergent situation extends beyond four hours and block charting is continued, a new charting "block" period must be started.  The following minimum elements must be documented in each block charting episode:
- Time of initiation of the charting block
- Name(s) of medications administered during the block
- Starting rates and ending rates of medications administered during the charting block
- Maximum rate (dose) of medications administered during the charting block
- Time of completion of the charting block
- Physiological parameters evaluated to determine the administration of titratable medications during the charting block
Block charting does NOT take the place of a valid order from a Licensed Practitioner (LP). The nurse would need to provide the medication in accordance with an order from the physician. If verbal orders are given, they would need to be entered into the medical record, as required for all verbal orders.
This information was also published in the June 2020 edition of Perspectives.
Manual:
Hospital and Hospital Clinics
Chapter:
Medication Management MM
Last reviewed by Standards Interpretation: November 17, 2022
Represents the most recent date that the FAQ was reviewed (e.g. annual review).
First published date: September 04, 2020
This Standards FAQ was first published on this date.
This page was last updated on November 17, 2022
with update notes of: Review only, FAQ is current
Types of changes and an explanation of change type:
Editorial changes only: Format changes only. No changes to content. |
Review only, FAQ is current: Periodic review completed, no changes to content. |
Reflects new or updated requirements: Changes represent new or revised requirements.
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