Purpose

Admission notes provide a comprehensive record of a patient's presentation, history, examination findings and initial management plan. They form the foundation of the clinical record and guide ongoing care.

Key Components

  • Patient demographics and identifiers
  • Date, time and admitting clinician
  • Referral source and presenting complaint
  • History of presenting complaint
  • Past medical and surgical history
  • Drug history and allergies
  • Family and social history
  • Systems review
  • Examination findings (general, systemic)
  • Investigations requested and results
  • Clinical impression / differential diagnosis
  • Management plan
  • Escalation plan and ceiling of care
  • Signature, printed name and designation

Documentation Tips

  • Document presenting complaint in the patient's own words
  • Record allergy status clearly and prominently
  • Note the source and time of any collateral history
  • Avoid abbreviations not universally understood
  • Record NEWS/early warning score on admission
Reminder: Always date, time and sign all clinical entries. Include your name and GMC/NMC number.
Template
DATE: ___________  TIME: ___________
ADMITTING CLINICIAN: ___________________
WARD/LOCATION: ________________________

PATIENT: ______________________________
DOB: _____________  NHS No: ____________

SOURCE OF REFERRAL: ___________________
REASON FOR ADMISSION: _________________

PRESENTING COMPLAINT:
[In patient's own words]

HISTORY OF PRESENTING COMPLAINT:
[Onset, duration, character, associated symptoms]

PAST MEDICAL HISTORY:
1.
2.
3.

PAST SURGICAL HISTORY:
1.
2.

MEDICATIONS:
1.
2.
3.

ALLERGIES: ____________________________
Reaction: _____________________________

FAMILY HISTORY: _______________________

SOCIAL HISTORY:
Occupation: ___________________________
Smoking: _____  Alcohol: _______________
Living situation: ______________________
Functional status: _____________________

SYSTEMS REVIEW:
CVS: _________________________________
RS: __________________________________
GI: __________________________________
CNS: _________________________________
Other: _______________________________

EXAMINATION:
General: ______________________________
Vital signs: HR ___ BP ___/__ RR ___ Temp ___ SpO2 ___
Weight: ______  NEWS: ________

Cardiovascular: ________________________
Respiratory: __________________________
Abdomen: _____________________________
Neurological: _________________________
Other: _______________________________

INVESTIGATIONS:
Bloods requested: _____________________
Imaging requested: ____________________
Results available: _____________________

IMPRESSION:
[Clinical diagnosis / differential]

MANAGEMENT PLAN:
1.
2.
3.

ESCALATION/CEILING OF CARE:
_______________________________________

SIGNATURE: ____________  DATE: _________
NAME (print): __________________________
GMC/NMC No: ___________________________