LESSON 6
RECORDING VITAL SIGNS
6-1.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FORMS ON WHICH VITAL SIGNS ARE
RECORDED?
Some of the forms on which vital signs are recorded are discussed below.
a. SF 510. Standard Form 510, Nursing Notes, is used to record the patient's
vital signs and other information when he first enters the hospital. Other entries
pertaining to the nursing care provided are made throughout the patient's
hospitalization. Only registered nurses and approved personnel make entries on this
form and all entries are made in ink. An example of a SF 510 with an initial (admitting)
entry is shown in figure 6-1.
b. SF 511. While the patient is in the hospital, his vital signs are recorded on
Standard Form 511, Vital Signs Record. Entries on this form are made in ink. Only
authorized medical personnel make entries on this form. An example of a SF 511 is
shown in figure 6-2. Because of the graphic section on the form, the form is also known
as the "TPR graphic."
c. SF 600. Standard Form 600, Chronological Record of Medical Care, is used
to record medical care that the person receives on an outpatient (not in hospital) basis.
A common place where entries are made on a SF 600 is the troop medical clinic (TMC).
Entries on this form are made in ink. Only authorized personnel make entries on this
form. An example of a SF 600 is shown in figure 6-3.
d. DD Form 1380. Department of Defense Form 1380, US Field Medical Card,
is shown in figure 6-4. This card is carried by combat medics in the field. When a
soldier is injured, the medic who treats the soldier records information on the card. The
soldier's name and unit, the type of injury, the cause of injury, the treatment given to the
patient, and the patient's vital signs before being evacuated are some of the information
entered on the card. The card is then attached to the injured soldier's clothing by
looping the wire at the end of the card through a buttonhole on the soldier's uniform.
Additional treatment provided during evacuation is also entered on the card by the
person who gives the care. The information on the Field Medical Card is transferred at
the appropriate time to another form. The Field Medical Card then becomes a part of
the soldier's permanent medical records.
MD531
6-2