Observation Levels
The name of the software we use to document patient observation rounds
What is ObservSmart?
This mood disorder is characterized by fluctuation between periods of mania and depression.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
The acronym "IDD" stands for this
What is Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities?
The ability to understand and share the feelings of others
What is empathy?
Patients experiencing this symptom might display unreasonably elevated mood, hyperactivity, euphoria, and goal-directed behavior.
What is mania?
The standard observation level for patients at our facility
What is Q15?
This mood disorder is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, withdrawal, and apathy.
What is (Major) Depression?
A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in social communication and restrictive or repetitive behaviors
What is autism (ASD)?
Treating patients with empathy, communicating with them as individuals, and demonstrating respect can help us build or establish this.
What is rapport?
Patients experiencing this symptom may perceive (e.g., see, hear) something that is not actually occurring.
What is Hallucination?
Patients who need more frequent observation at admission due to moderate or high suicide risk may need this observation level
What is Q5?
This disorder involves compulsive use of illegal or legal substances (drugs, alcohol) despite harmful consequences
What is substance use disorder?
A progressive or persistent loss of intellectual functioning, especially with impairment of memory and abstract thinking, and often with personality change
What is dementia?
Paying attention during a conversation, paraphrasing what the other person says, and asking clarifying questions
What is active listening?
Patients experiencing this symptom may have strongly held false beliefs despite evidence to the contrary
What are delusions?
A patient who is at elevated risk of harm due to suicidal / homicidal intent or behavior, severe challenging behavior, or co-occurring medical conditions may be placed on this highest level of observation.
What is 1:1?
Chronic condition characterized by persistent and severe disruption in thought, perception, and behavior.
What is schizophrenia?
What is a traumatic brain injury?
This style of communication from staff is top-down, commanding, and controlling, and does not take into account the patient's input. We avoid this dynamic in our communication with patients.
Patients may demonstrate this symptom when they talk about loosely or tangentially related topics, have flight of ideas, or exhibit thought blocking
What is disorganized thought / speech?
This DSH slogan is a reminder to stay compliant with observation rounds - it refers to timeliness and proximity expectations for rounding
What is "-68 and Don't be Late"
This disorder includes both mood disorder and thought disorder symptoms.
What is Schizoaffective disorder?
A collective term for behavior that is maladaptive, destructive, harmful, dangerous, or inappropriate
What is challenging behavior?
This preferred style of communication is firm, professional, and confident while taking time to explain reasoning to patients, encourage respectful dialogue while still setting clear expectations and boundaries
What is authoritative?
What are flashbacks?