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Focus Charting (F-DAR): How to do Focus

Charting or F-DAR
By
 Matt Vera, BSN, R.N.
 -
Definition
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.

Focus Charting Parts

Three columns are usually used in Focus

Charting for documentation:

 Date and Hour

 Focus
 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 Focus of care, this  Data

8:00pm may be:a nursing
 Action
diagnosis
a sign or a  Response
symptom
an acute change in
the condition
behavior

Progress Notes

Data (D)

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.

Action (A)

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.

Response (R)

The response category reflects the

evaluation phase of the nursing process and
describes the client’s response to any
nursing and medical care.

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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 Pain

Date/Shift Focus Progress Notes

5/20/201 Pain D: - Reports of sharp pain on

the abdominal incision area
6-2 with a pain scale of 8 out of
10, facial grimacing,
Guarding behavior, Restless
and irritable------------HJDA
 A: - Administered Celecoxib
200mg IV, Encouraged
deep breathing exercises
and relaxation techniques,
 Kept patient comfortable
and safe------------HJDA
R: - Patient reports pain was
relieved ------------HJDA
Signature
Complete Name designation

F-DAR for Hyperthermia

Date/Hour Focus Progress Notes

5/20/2010 Hyperthermia D- Temperature of 38.9 OC

via axilla, Skin is flushed
2-10 and warm to touch--HJDA
A-Tepid Sponge Bath (TSB)
done7:30pm,
Administered 250mg IV
Paracetamol as per
doctor’s order,
 Encouraged adequate oral
fluid intake, Encouraged
adequate rest ---------------------HJDA
R: 10:00pm Temperature
decreased from 38.9 to
37.1 OC--------------HJDA
Signature
Complete Name designation

Another Variation
This is DAR made by Jay-D Man of
Slideshare.net. with some modifications
made. This is a very good variation.

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F1: Ineffective Breathing Pattern

 ADVERTISEMENTS
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

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References/Sources:

 A very helpful guide on F-DAR or Focus

Charting via SlideShare.net
 Fundamentals of Nursing by Kozier
and Erbs