Michael L. Tassler, CBET, biomedical technology services, Baylor Regional Medical Center, Grapevine, Tex, wrote and said if he could figure out how to post something for the best practices blog he would. Well, he did the perfect thing—he wrote to me and I can post it on his behalf, which is the only way to start a new topic on the blog (what can I say, it’s the system.) Here’s what he said:

“Since time is the enemy of all techs getting things done with in the workday, maybe you could use this tidbit of advice. As a biomed technician we document everything. Sometimes we find ourselves saying the same thing over and over again. To help me with standardization of terminologies I use my cheat sheet, quick cut and paste, or whatever you want to call it.”

Here’s Michael’s advice on how to make your own: “Create a Word document—Microsoft Word is most common here, but the same will go for whatever word processor program you are using—and fill it up with your repeated phrases or processes. Close and save it and keep it handy for references of activities to quickly copy and paste the activity into your documentation. Here’s an example:

PM completed by vendor

Verified completion of on-site service

Reviewed vendor’s paperwork/charges are referenced to WO # xxxx

Or maybe something more common:

Performed incoming inspection

Non Hospital Owned Equipment

Entered data into department record

See comments for test results

Then the comments are also a quick copy and paste:

MFG: Interlight

MODEL: Multidiode Surgical 120

SN#: xxxxx

PCR: 85 mOhms

NPGL-OFF: 147 uAmps

NPGL-ON:   299 uAmps

Thanks Michael, I’m sure it will help and I hope your colleagues will offer their comments to this. And, we welcome your ideas so if anyone has a best practice they’d like to share, please send it to me at jkirst@allied360.com and I’ll post it on your behalf.

Thanks!