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Focus Charting of F-DAR is intended to make the client and client concerns and strengths the focus of care. It is a method of organizing health information in an individual’s record. Focus Charting is a systematic approach to documentation.
Three columns are usually used in Focus Charting for documentation:
- Date and Hour;
- Focus; and
- Progress Notes.
The progress notes are organized into (D) data, (A) action, and (R) response, referred to as DAR (third column).
Here is an example of a format of Focus Charting or F-DAR
|
Date/Hour |
Focus |
Progress Notes |
| 3/7/2010 8:00pm |
Focus of care, this may be:
|
|
(D) Data Category
Contents
The data category is like the assessment phase of the nursing process. It is in this category that you would be writing your assessment cues like: vital signs, behaviors, and other observations noticed from the patient. Both subjective and objective data are recorded in the data category.
(A) Action Category
The action category reflects the planning and implementation phase of the nursing process and includes immediate and future nursing actions. It may also include any changes to the plan of care.
(R) Response Category
The response category reflects the evaluation phase of the nursing process and describes the client’s response to any nursing and medical care.
A. Focus Charting (F-DAR) Samples
Listed below are sample focus charting for different problems.
1. F-DAR for Pain
The focus of this problem is pain. Notice the way how the D, A, and R are written.
|
Date/Hour |
Focus |
Progress Notes |
| 5/20/20108:00pm | Pain | D:
A:
R:
|
2. F-DAR for Hyperthermia
|
Date/Hour |
Focus |
Progress Notes |
| 5/20/20108:00pm | Hyperthermia | D:
A:
R:
|
B. Another Variation
This is DAR made by Jay-D Man of Slideshare.net. with some modifications made. This is a very good variation.
F1: Ineffective Breathing Pattern
D1: increase respiratory rate of 24 cpm
D2: use of accessory muscle to breath
D3: presence of nonproductive cough
F2: Hyperthermia
D1: skin warm and flush to touched
D2: increased body temperature of T= 38.9 degree celsius/axilla
F3: Fatigue
D1: less movement noted
A: 9:00am
- monitored v/s and charted
- regulated IVF and charted
- morning care done
- assessed patient needs and performed handwashing before handling the patient
- advised SO to always stay on patient bedside
- promote proper ventilation and a therapeutic environment
- elevated the head of the bed (moderate high back rest)
- provided comfort measures and provide opportunity for patient to rest
- due meds given
9:30am
- tepid sponge bath done
- instructed SO to provide blanket and let patient wear loose clothing
F4: Discharge Plan (12:00nn)
D1: discharged order given by Dr.Name/Time
- M – advised SO to give the ff. meds at the right time, dose, frequency and route
- E – encouraged to maintain cleanliness of the house and surroundings
- T – advised to go to follow-up consultations on the prescribed date
- H – encouraged to do chest tapping to facilitate mobilization of secretion
- O – observed for signs of super infections such as fever, black fury tongue and foul odor discharges
- D – encouraged to eat fresh vegetables and fish
- S – advised to continue praying to God and hear mass on Sunday
2:00pm – out of the room per wheelchair with improved condition
References/Sources:
- A very helpful guide on F-DAR or Focus Charting via SlideShare.net
- Fundamentals of Nursing by Kozier and Erbs
- Image Source from here
