Nursing Administration & Management

assignment
ON

ANECDOTAL
RECORDS

Submitted To:

Submitted By:

Mrs. Sadhana. Adhyapak

Asso Prof
Submitted On: 21/09/2015
OUTLINE

Mrs. Monika Bagchi

2nd year MSc N

 Definition
Characteristics of anecdotal records
Purposes
Guidelines for making anecdotal records
Items in anecdotal records
Advantages of anecdotal records
Disadvantages of anecdotal records
Uses of anecdotal records

ANECDOTAL RECORDS

An anecdotal record is an observation that is written like a short story. They are descriptions
of incidents or events that are important to the person observing. Anecdotal records are short,
objective and as accurate as possible
DEFINITION :Anecdotal records is a record of some significant item of conduct, a record of an episode in
the life of students, a word picture of the student in action, a word snapshot at the moment of
the incident, any narration of events in which may be significant about his personality.
Randall.
MEANING :Informal device used by the teacher to record behavior of students as observed by him from
time to time.
It provides a lasting record of behavior which may be useful later in contributing to a
judgment about a student.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ANECDOTAL RECORDS :Anecdotal records must possess certain characteristics as given below They should contain a factual descriptions of what happened, when it happened, and under
what circumstances the behavior occurred.
The interpretations and recommended action should be noted separately from the
description.
Each anecdotal record should contain a record of a single incident.
The incident recorded should be that is considered to be significant to the students growth
and development of example.
Simple reports of behavior
Result of direct observation.
Accurate and specific
Gives context of child's behavior
Records typical or unusual behaviors
PURPOSE :-

To furnish the multiplicity of evidence needed for good cumulative record.

To substitute for vague generalizations about students specific exact description of
behaviour.
To stimulate teachers to look for information i.e pertinent in helping each student realize
good self- adjustment.
To understand individuals basic personality pattern and his reactions in different
situations.
The teacher is able to understand her pupil in a realistic manner.
It provides an opportunity for healthy pupil- teacher relationship.
It can be maintained in the areas of behaviour that cannot be evaluated by other systematic
method.
Helps the students to improve their behavior, as it is a direct feedback of an entire observed
incident, the student can analyze his behaviour better.
Can be used by students for self-appraisal and peer assessment.

GUIDELINES FOR MAKING ANECDOTAL RECORD :Keep a notebook handy to make brief notes to remind you of incidents you wish to include in
the record. Also include the name, time and setting in your notes.
Write the record as soon as possible after the event. The longer you leave it to write your
anecdotal record, the more subjective and vague the observation will become.
In your anecdotal record identify the time, child, date and setting
Describe the actions and what was said.
Include the responses of other people if they relate to the action.
Describe the event in the sequence that it occurred.
Record should be complete.
They should be compiled and filed.
They should be emphasized as an educational resource.
The teacher should have practice and training in making observations and writing records.

ITEMS IN ANECDOTAL RECORDS:- To relate the incident correctly for drawing

inferences the following items to be incorporated.
The first part of an anecdotal record should be factual, simple and clear.
Name of the students
Unit/ ward/ department
Date and time
Brief report of what happened.
The second part of an anecdotal record may include additional comments, analysis and
conclusions based on interpretations and judgments.
Descriptive reports- The instructor writes a brief report on student nurses performance over
a given period. These reports are quite useful if instructor highlights students strength and
weaknesses in a systematic way.
Instructor decides what to include in a report and she may quite inconsistent unless she is
guided by some kind of a structure. Otherwise these type of reports turn out to be subjective
assessments.

ADVANTAGES OF ANECDOTAL RECORDS :- Supplements and validates of other

structured instruments.
Provision of insight into total behavioral incidents.
Needs no special training.
Use of formative feedback.
Economical and easy to develop.
Open ended and can catch unexpected events.
Can select behaviors' or events of interest and ignore others, or can sample a wide range of
behaviors' (different times, environments and people).

DISADVANTAGES OF ANECDOTAL RECORDS:- If carelessly recorded, the purpose

will not be fulfilled.
Only records events of interest to the person doing the observing.
Quality of the record depends on the memory of the person doing the observing.
Incidents can be taken out of context.
Subjectivity.
Lack of standardization.
Difficulty in scoring.
Time consuming.
May miss out on recording specific types of behaviour.
Limited application.

Uses of anecdotal records :- Record unusual events, such as accidents.

Record children's behavior, skills and interests for planning purposes.
Record how an individual is progressing in a specific area of development.
It provides a means of communication between the members of the health care team and
facilitates coordinated planning and continuity of care. It acts as a medium for data exchange
between the health care team.
Clear, complete, accurate and factual documentation provides a reliable, permanent record
of patient care.

ANECDOTAL RECORD OF STUDENT NURSE

DATE OF OBSERVATION :- 02/09/2015
OBSERVATION TIME :- 11am
OBSERVER :- Mrs. Minakshi Tupe
STUDENTs NAME : - Ms. Komal Raut
WARD :- Gynaecology ward
DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT :-

Ms. Komal Raut is a student nurse working in gynaecology ward. While on clinical
posting in the gynaecology ward I observed one incident of Intravenous administration to patient.
The student nurse saw the doctors order of giving intravenous injection Taxim 500mg to
the patient named Mrs.Savita Sethi. She took the medicine trolley near the patient and directly
started administering intravenous injection without washing hands. Following aseptic technique
can lead to cross infection to patients thereby deteriorating their condition more.
This incident was observed by Sister Incharge and she gave verbal instructions to the
staff to follow aseptic technique. She also asked the staff to give a written explanation about the
negligence and reported the incident to the floor supervisor to take necessary action.

NOTES/RECOMMENDATION/ACTIONS :-

The student nurse was asked to give written explanation regarding the incident. The incident was
reported to the floor supervisor to take necessary action.

SIGNATURE :-