Does the use of an assessment tool in the accident and emergency department improve the quality of care?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of introducing a nursing record, using the SOAPE model, in the accident and emergency department. A working group was formed to design and implement a new record and evaluate its effect. A 6-month teaching programme was run to prepare staff. Quality of documentation was measured using the Phaneuf Audit Tool both before and after the implementation of the new record and the teaching sessions. The results were compared. It was concluded that, overall, the documentation showed significant improvement. Therefore, it could be assumed that there had been an improvement in the quality of care.