Blank strips may be used to record reroute or other pertinent information before it is updated in the EDST.

• A. They may be used to record reroute or other pertinent information before EDST update.
• B. They must not be used to record reroute or other information before EDST update.
• C. They replace EDST entries permanently.
• D. They are only for emergencies.

Answer: (B)

Keep the EDST as the authoritative, up-to-date record for all reroute and pertinent information. Blank strips are not part of the official record and can be lost, read incorrectly, or become outdated, which creates a mismatch between what EDST shows and what staff are actually acting on. If reroute details exist, they must be entered into EDST as soon as possible so every team member sees the same current instruction. Using a blank strip to document changes before EDST is updated introduces a risk of miscommunication and routing errors, undermining patient safety. If there’s a need to communicate urgently, follow the established emergency communication protocol and then update EDST promptly, rather than relying on a paper strip as the source of truth.