STABLE: an acronym for managing the observation-status patient.

Ever rising patient acuity, new nursing staff practitioners, and cumbersome documentation processes potentially impact quality of care. Nurse managers are challenged to utilize creative strategies to minimize risk potential and improve patient outcomes. One 36-bed medical/ surgical/telemetry unit focused on improving competence in clinical assessment and documentation associated with the determinants of STABLE. Education centered on a simple approach based on the use of an acronym to memorize concepts and trigger the recall of 6 key points of care. Evaluation of documentation after pain implementation indicated significant improvement in nursing practice.