FDAR charting: Focus Data Action Response.

FOCUS CHARTING- describes the

patient's perspective and focuses on documenting the patient's current status, progress
towards goals, and response to interventions.
Focus charting or simply termed as F-DAR is a kind of documentation utilizing the nursing process and involves
the four steps: assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation. It is a systematic approach. It is focused on the
care of the client and related strengths or concerns. One F-DAR charting is solely concerned on one particular
problem or situation and is meant to be concise. It is also used to consolidate the patients health record and
information.

Parts of an FDAR Charting

There are three columns utilized for FDAR charting during documentation in the Nurses Notes section of the chart:

Date and Hour

Focus
Progress Notes

Date and Time

Focus

Progress Notes

Ex:

The Focus of Care

( can be a nursing diagnosis )

7/17/2013
7:15am

Cephalocaudal assessment
a clinical manifestation
alteration in the condition
behavior change

Data
Action
Response

Focus identifies the content or purpose of the narrative entry and is

separated from the body of the notes in order to promote easy data retrieval and
communication

Data
As compared to the nursing process, it is similar to the assessment stage. In the data part, assessment clues like vital
signs, observable change in the condition and altered behavior are written. Assessment cues include both the
objective and subjective data.

Data - statements contain objective and/or subjective information.

Action
The action part is comparable to the planning and implementation stages of the nursing process, involving the current
and possible nursing actions. This can include interventions and procedures performed. It may also contain the
alterations necessary for the patients plan of care.

Action statements that contain nursing interventions (basic, perspective,independent)

past, present or future.- it also contains collaborative orders

Response
The evaluation stage of the nursing process is like the response part of the charting. It gives the detailed and
accurate reaction of the patient to the nursing action done. This will also reflect the condition of the patient after the
interventions.

Response Evident patient outcomes or response

INFORMATION FROM ALL THREE CATEGORIES (DATA,ACTION,RESPONSE)should be
used only as they are RELEVANT or AVAILABLE.However, all appropriate information
should be included to ensure complete documentation
Purpose of FDAR charting
1) To easily identify critical patient issues/concerns in the Progress Notes.
2) To facilitate communication among all disciplines.
3) To improve time efficiency with documentation.
4) To provide concise entries that would not duplicate patient information already
provided on flow sheet/checklist.When is FDAR necessary
5) To describe a patient problem/ focus/ concern from the care plan
6) To document an activity or treatment that was carried out
7) To document a new findings
8) To document an acute change in patient's condition
9) To identify the discipline making the entry as well as the topic of the note
10) To describe all specifics regarding patient/family teaching
11)

To

document

significant

event

or

unusual

episode

in

patient

care

DOCUMENTATION DOS AND DONTS

-DO time and date all entries.
-DO use flowsheet/ checklist. Keep information on flowsheet/checklist current
-DO chart as you make observations.
-DO write your own observations and sign your own name. Sign and initial every entry.
-DO describe patient's behavior and use direct patient quotes when appropriate.
-DO record exactly what happens to patient and care given.

-DO be factual and complete.

-DO draw a single line thru an error. Mark this entry as error and-sign your name.
-DO use only approved abbreviations-DO use next available line to chart.
-DO document patient's current status and response to medical care and treatments.
-DO write legibly. DO use ink. DO use accepted chart forms.
DONTS
-DON'T begin charting until you check the name and identifying number on the patient's
chart on each page.
-DON'T chart procedures or cares in advance.
-DON'T clutter notes with repetitive or frequently changing data already charted on the
flowsheet/checklist.
-DON'T make or sign an entry for someone else.
-DON'T change and entry because someone tells you.
-DON'T label a patient or show bias.
-DON'T try to cover up a mistake or incident by inaccuracy or omission.
-DON'T white out or erase an error.
-DON'T throw away notes with an error on them.
-DON'T squeeze in a missed entry or leave space for someone else who forgot to
chart.
-DON'T write in the margin.
-DON'T use meaningless words and phrases, such as good dayor no complaints-DON'T use notebook paper or pencil.

GENERAL GUIDELINES
-Focus charting must be evident at least once every shift.
-Focus charting must be patient-oriented not nursing task-oriented.
-Indicate the date and time of entry in the first column.
-Separate the topic words for the body of notes:a. Focus note written on the second
column.b. Data, Action and Response on the third column.

-Sign name for every time entry-Document only patients concern and/or plan of care
e.g. healthteaching per shift.

Focus Charting (F-DAR) Samples

Listed below are sample focus charting for different problems.

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

5/20/201

Pain

D:

08:00pm

Reports of sharp pain on

the abdominal incision
area with a pain scale of
8 out of 10
Facial grimacing
Guarding behavior
Restless and irritable

A:

Administered Celecoxib
200mg IV
Encouraged
deep
breathing exercises and
relaxation techniques
Kept
patient
comfortable and safe

R:

Patient reports pain was

relieved

F-DAR for Hyperthermia

Date/Hour

Focus

Progress Notes

5/20/2010

Hyperthermia D:

8:00pm

Temperature of 38.9OC
via axilla
Skin is flushed and warm
to touch

A:

Tepid Sponge Bath (TSB)

done

7:30pm

Administered 250mg IV
Paracetamol as per
doctors order
Encouraged adequate
oral fluid intake
Encouraged adequate
rest

R:
10:00pm

Temperature decreased
from 38.9 to 37.1 OC