Medical record forms design
Forms Development and Design
The RCH Forms Committee is responsible for reviewing all new and current medical record forms, and evaluating the suitability of forms to ensure they meet current work practices and design requirements. If you are interested in designing or updating a medical record form for your area, please use the information provided in this Medical Record Forms Design and Development guide.
Each form must comply with the Australian Standard on Hospital Medical Records (AS2828). Refer to the RCH procedure 04-00-1-013 Medical Records - Design of Forms. Forms are also designed to ensure a consistent format with other hospital forms in the medical record. Each form is allocated a coloured strip and number for easy identification.
Photocopies of forms designed on computer are not approved for use in the medical record. These forms are difficult to read and do not look professional. All medical record forms must be formally designed and printed, if they are to be used regularly.
Payment for Forms Design
| Scenario | Who incurs the cost? |
| One department initiates and uses the form | That department incurs all costs (artwork and printing) |
| One department initiates amendments of existing form | That department incurs artwork costs |
| Initiation of new form for use by 3 or more departments | The initiating department incurs artwork costs, the form becomes a stock item and the form is available for order form material resources |
| Health Information Services initiates amendments of existing form | HIS incurs artwork costs |
With new and altered forms the artwork cost covers preparation and creation of the proof. This cost is a one-off payment.
For small numbers of forms the cost of professional printing is not cost effective and the best alternative is to have the forms printed in the Mail Room.
RCH Forms Committee
The RCH Forms Committee convenes monthly to review new and current medical record forms.
- Terms of reference (PDF)
RCH Forms Committee members:
| Kathy Cassin | Health Information Services |
| Laura Dal Santo | Health Information Services |
| Michael Marks | Paediatrician |
| Sarah Carter | Quality Unit |
| Jayne Morrison | Acting Nurse Unit Manager, Short Stay Unit |
| Barbara McDonald | Education and Resource Centre |
| Gabrielle Carroll | ICU |
| Rotating Registrar | Quality Unit |
* Intranet only.
Order of Forms
Forms filed in the medical record must follow the Order of Forms to ensure consistency of filing across all medical records. This enables staff accessing the record to be able to find the information they require quickly and easily.
Refer to the Order of Forms Index User Guide for assistance on its use and features.
