 |
 |
 |
Download medical assessment forms in .PFD format.
Health Assessment Forms: Content and Purpose
Are you currently in need of some sample health assessment forms? Are you certain you know what to look for to ensure the forms you’re choosing are comprehensive? Health assessment forms can be used for a variety of purposes, and because of this, the forms will tend to vary slightly in terms of content and style. To help clarify this distinction, in this article we will outline a few of the many purposes for these types of forms and show you some of the information and topics that are typically included to ensure a proper assessment.
Health Assessment Forms: The Content
Depending on the type of medical assessment being performed (emergency, routine, etc.) the number of questions and the range of information collected will vary somewhat, but as a rule, most health assessment forms will at least include space to record:
- Patient’s name and information (height, weight, etc)
- Vital signs—blood pressure, temperature, etc.
- Symptoms and onset of symptoms
- Allergies—to medication, food or any other substance
- Medical history—a series of questions with regard to a variety of medical conditions and diseases.
- Family medical history
- Nurse’s diagnosis—a pre-diagnosis based on the symptoms and medical history
- Immediate treatment plan
- Priority—usually ranked on a numeric scale
- Nurse’s signature and date
Health Assessment Forms: What Are They Used For?
Although health assessment forms are used almost exclusively by those in the medical field, there are a variety of different scenarios in which they might be used. Some of these scenarios include:
• Emergencies. In emergency cases, where the patient is suffering from an injury, illness or disease that requires immediate attention, health assessment forms are used to ascertain the symptoms the patient is experiencing, along with the onset of those symptoms. In cases such as these, where time is critical and doctors in the emergency room are usually tending to multiple patients at once, the health assessment is a vital tool for prioritizing patient care.
• Routine Medical Visits. Most interactions between patients and medical personnel can be classified as non-emergencies, but health assessments are still a very key component of care, even during routine doctor visits. These assessments are usually taken by the nurse during the initial phase of the appointment, and can include tests that measure vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse and respiration. These tests, and a series of questions that the nurse will ask, help give doctors an idea of the patient’s condition before he/she enters the examination room.
• Physicals. Those applying to work in certain professions, and athletes planning to participate in a sport, are often required to take a complete physical before they start work or join the team. In these cases, health assessment forms are used to determine an individual’s fitness and rule out any medical limitations that might adversely affect their participation. During the physical, nurses and doctors will first ask questions that pertain to the participant’s medical history, followed by similar questions relating to the medical history of their immediate family.
Health assessment forms can also be used as a training tool for future nurses and doctors, and in fact, many nursing schools will often require this skill of their students before they are able to graduate from the program.