AT A GLANCE Our color-coding system on the spine of the patient's chart lets staff know what needs to be done next.

Spine Language
Color-code Labels On Patient Charts

We color-code the label on the spine of each patient's chart with a highlighter as the chart travels through the appropriate channels. This lets us see the status of the chart at a glance while the charts are on the rack.

• Yellow means the chart is complete and has all required documentation for the case to be admitted.
• Green means the patient has been called with her arrival time (this helps greatly to ensure no charts are missed!).
• Pink shows the chart was entered into our billing system.
• Blue means the follow-up call has been completed and documented.

Vickie O'Donnell, RN, BSN
Advanced Surgical Institute
Sewell, N.J.
[email protected]