On-Time Quality Improvement Manual for Long-Term Care Facilities

Table 6.2. Recommended Process Improvements for the Red Area Report

Step	Recommended Action	Report Worksheet
1	Print and review list of residents on the report. Mark the report to indicate residents not known by nurse as having red areas and therefore requiring followup. The nurse typically does not mark residents if red areas are previously reported and are being treated.	"Requires Follow-Up". Mark residents requiring follow-up with check or 'x'.
2	Assign staff member to recheck residents who require followup.
3	Recheck residents for red areas.
4	Update report worksheet with findings and return to charge nurse.	Write notes in "Followup Notes" section. Mark "New" or "Existing" red area. Leave "New" and "Existing" blank if no red area is noted.
5	Charge nurse follows up on new information per facility protocols (e.g., implement standard interventions, notify provider and other team members, post on shift or 24-hour report).
6	Post red area list on communication board or medication cart (optional).

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Current as of January 2011

Internet Citation: On-Time Quality Improvement Manual for Long-Term Care Facilities: Table 6.2. Recommended Process Improvements for the Red Area Report. January 2011. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/systems/long-term-care/resources/ontime/ontimeqimanual/qimanltab6-2.html