What action should be taken if a patient is reported to be on a temporary pass?

When a patient is reported to be on a temporary pass, it is crucial to update the census worksheet. This document serves as an official record of the patients currently in the facility and their statuses. Noting the patient's temporary pass on the census worksheet ensures that all staff members are aware of the patient's absence and the anticipated timeline for their return.

Failing to record this information could lead to confusion regarding the patient's location and status, potentially affecting communication and coordination among the healthcare team. The census worksheet is regularly accessed by various departments to maintain accurate patient information, making it essential to keep it updated with any changes in patient status, such as a temporary pass. While documenting in the patient's chart, informing the physician, and notifying the pharmacy are important actions in their own contexts, the immediate and specific step in this scenario is to update the census worksheet.