Documentation Huddles Improve Quality and Safety
By Greg Freeman
CARE Homecare, an in-home care agency serving seniors in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, CA, use documentation huddles to improve quality of care and the usefulness of records in any legal dispute.
The huddles address issues in real time, says CEO Moti Gamburd.
“We noticed that, even with clear policies, caregivers often struggled with documentation when juggling real-time patient care. So, we started short weekly documentation huddles that aren’t strictly lectures or training. Instead, they’re quick, open discussions where staff can share what’s working, what isn’t, and what they find challenging,” he says. “For example, one caregiver mentioned they struggled to stay accurate when documenting during chaotic shifts. That comment started a meaningful conversation where other staff shared simple strategies, like jotting down key points on a small notepad during care and filling out more detailed records later.”
These conversations did more than improve documentation, Gamburd says. They made everyone feel heard and supported, he says. Staff shared ideas that helped us simplify processes, like cutting down redundant forms and adjusting submission deadlines to better fit the reality of their schedules. This resulted in fewer errors, less stress, and a team that feels more confident about their work, Gamburd says.
“If you’re looking to improve documentation, don’t simply rely on policies,” he says. “Create space for your team to talk about it, troubleshoot together, and build a system that works in the real world. That kind of collaboration makes a bigger difference than any training manual ever could.”
Source
- Moti Gamburd, CEO, CARE Homecare, Los Angeles and Orange Counties, CA. Email: [email protected].
Greg Freeman has worked with Relias Media and its predecessor companies since 1989, moving from assistant staff writer to executive editor before becoming a freelance writer. He has been the editor of Healthcare Risk Management since 1992 and provides research and content for other Relias Media products. In addition to his work with Relias Media, Greg provides other freelance writing services and is the author of seven narrative nonfiction books on wartime experiences and other historical events.
CARE Homecare, an in-home care agency serving seniors in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, CA, use documentation huddles to improve quality of care and the usefulness of records in any legal dispute.
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