When should you create a log for a patient?

Creating a log for a patient after the patient has arrived is essential for ensuring accurate documentation and continuous monitoring throughout their care. Once the patient is physically present, specific, pertinent information can be collected and recorded, which includes their vital signs, medical history updates, allergies, and any pre-operative assessments.

This approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of the patient's condition and any immediate needs they may have. Developing the log solely before the patient's arrival would risk missing critical real-time information that could impact perioperative care. Similarly, creating the log at the start of the surgery or only during the recovery phase would fail to capture essential pre-operative data and could lead to gaps in the patient's care plan. Therefore, initiating the log once the patient has arrived provides a robust framework for tracking their progress and addressing any issues promptly during their time in the operating room and recovery.