To monitor patient absences, use?

• A. A patient sign-out register
• B. Updates on the inpatient unit nursing status board
• C. Notes on the AF Form 560
• D. AF Form 569, Patient's Absence Record

Answer: (A)

Monitoring patient absences relies on a centralized, auditable record of every departure and return. The patient sign-out register is designed for this purpose, capturing who signs out the patient, when, the reason, and the expected return. It creates a clear, shared log that staff from different shifts can reference, ensuring accountability, patient safety, and smooth bed management.

Updates on the inpatient unit nursing status board provide real-time status and location information, which is helpful for day-to-day coordination but doesn’t function as a formal absence record with a complete audit trail. While forms exist to document patient data or absences, they aren’t as effective as a dedicated sign-out log for consistently monitoring absences across the facility.