Organization: the key to efficiency Practical advice for the busy life of an intern Dana Angelini 7/2/12

Topics  Organize yourself at work  Organize yourself at home  Pearls from “mama mollicone”

Being an Efficient Intern  Can be a frustrating struggle early in year  Takes time to develop your style  Trial and error (and error)  You will get there!

Being an Efficient Intern  Start your day with the motto: “I am in control of my day” “I am in control of my day”  Deep breath prior to entering hospital  Let go of issues/struggles of yesterday; learn from your mistakes  Build your knowledge base Both medical knowledge Both medical knowledge Systematic knowledge Systematic knowledge

Being an Efficient Intern  Pre-round with insight Know what you are looking for Know what you are looking for Anticipate what your attending will ask Anticipate what your attending will ask Always know current vitals, peaks, trends Always know current vitals, peaks, trends Thorough focused exam is better than sloppy overview Thorough focused exam is better than sloppy overview Have current med list Have current med list Helpful to have H&P on handHelpful to have H&P on hand Be able to get out of there (politely) Be able to get out of there (politely)

Being an Efficient Intern  Have a packet for each patient  Keep track of all “to-do’s” during rounds  Write down everything!!  Pay attention to your co-interns patients Will help with those pages later in the day! Will help with those pages later in the day! Learn from those patients as well! Learn from those patients as well!  Make note of topics you want to read about later  Make sure to “run the list” with your senior soon after rounds

Being an Efficient Intern  After Rounds GO GO GO!!!!! GO GO GO!!!!! Never forget the COLD Acronym Never forget the COLD Acronym ConsultsConsults OrdersOrders LabsLabs DischargesDischarges Learn to multitask Learn to multitask Put in orders while waiting for someone to call you backPut in orders while waiting for someone to call you back

Being an Efficient Intern  Anticipate and plan for discharges Gold forms can be time consuming Gold forms can be time consuming Touch base with social work/care coordinators early Touch base with social work/care coordinators early Social work helps set up SNF Social work helps set up SNF Care Coordinators handle home care Care Coordinators handle home care Start Gold Forms early Start Gold Forms early

Being an Efficient Intern  Don’t re-do the same task twice Call the operator ONCE after rounds and get all the pager numbers you need for your patients Call the operator ONCE after rounds and get all the pager numbers you need for your patients Write down consultant pager numbers or put in HOT tool; use throughout your rotation Write down consultant pager numbers or put in HOT tool; use throughout your rotation  Try not to waste time logging in and out of computers all the time

Being an Efficient Intern  Note Writing Remember Dr. Augustine’s tips Remember Dr. Augustine’s tips Can hold you down if you let it! Can hold you down if you let it! Be succinct, pertinent: will save you time and help you see the big picture. Be succinct, pertinent: will save you time and help you see the big picture.  HOT Complete as you write your note Complete as you write your note

Organizing Yourself at Home  Will help ease anxiety and stress over every day matters  10 tips to help organize you life  Tips for intern year and beyond

Tip #1: Write Things Down  Know the details of your patients  Keep lists! Keep notepads around your house Keep notepads around your house Keep personal To-Do listsKeep personal To-Do lists Keep lists of items you need to purchase as you discover you need them.Keep lists of items you need to purchase as you discover you need them.  Does your phone have an app for that?

Tip #2: If something can be done right away- DO IT  Paying bills  Going through mail  Answering s  Returning phone calls  DICTATIONS!!

Tip #3: CVS is one stop shopping  Toiletries/personal items  Greeting cards  Pharmacy  Basic food items/snacks/even beer&wine  Pet needs  Etc Etc….

Tip #4: Beating the “9 to 5” dilemma  Have your list available for reference  Maximize your days off  Most banks have Saturday hours  Most businesses have some late hours  Dentist open on Sat?  Schedule late doc appointment on happy day  Out early? Get one task done before heading home

Tip #5: Know your routine  Try to put things in the same place every time Keys Keys Cell phone/ IPAD!! Cell phone/ IPAD!! White coat/pager/ID badge White coat/pager/ID badge Work shoes Work shoes  Helps decrease time you spend looking for these items and helps MAXIMIZE sleep in the morning  Make a habit and stick to it

Tip #6: The File Box  CVS might not have one, but Office Max does  Get supplies: Folders, tabs, sharpies Folders, tabs, sharpies  General categories Bills Bills Residency info Residency info Finances/credit cards Finances/credit cards My health/insurance My health/insurance Loans/taxes Loans/taxes Car Car Warranties Warranties Computer Computer Important documents Important documents  File as you go: don’t let this build up!  Get a Shredder!

Tip #7: The Binder  Do you have a stack of articles you plan on reading?  Do you have a pile of articles/references from med school you would like to keep?  Do you have a 3” black binder organized by organ system?

Tip #8: Keep your personal life organized  Know your work schedule before committing  Take opportunities for fun when you can  Know your funds Balance your check book Balance your check book Don’t be late with payments Don’t be late with payments Will likely decrease your 9-5 dilemmas Will likely decrease your 9-5 dilemmas  Use a calendar

Tip #9: Have an organized house  Get rid of JUNK!!!  You just moved; good time to reassess your stuff  Go through closet for items to toss or donate 1-2x/year  If you haven’t used it in a year-TOSS  You may be attached to med school notes/binders-but…  Don’t feel guilty about tossing old gifts you don’t like or use  Use boxes, labels, everything should have a “place” Helps you get things back together when they get out of hand Helps you get things back together when they get out of hand

Tip #10: Keep a Clean House  Start with making your bed  Daily 5-10 minute cleaning  Quick Clorox wipe downs of surfaces  Every few weeks clean areas that don’t normally get attention  Start high and work your way down

Pearls from Mamma Mollicone  Being efficient and organized is a residents means of survival  Applying these tips in everyday life will help ease stress  Overall, try to stay on top of your tasks  Remember to take time for yourself