Adding Care Protocols

Use a protocol for guidance people will need again

A task asks someone to do something. A Care Protocol explains how to provide support consistently, such as a communication approach, equipment instructions or a familiar routine.

Use agreed guidance from the person and the professionals responsible. Do not use it as a substitute for an emergency plan, clinical record or professional judgement.

• Safe use and handling of a new wheelchair.
• Communication steps that help when the person feels overwhelmed.
• Agreed instructions for supporting a morning routine.

Write instructions someone can follow

1. 1

   Use a recognisable title

   Choose a title and category that help the reader find the right guidance quickly.

2. 2

   Write the practical steps

   Explain what to do, in order. Spell out unfamiliar terms. Add what to avoid and who to contact when those details are needed.

3. 3

   Check the status

   Keep unfinished guidance as Draft. Use Active for current guidance, Needs review when it needs checking, and Archived when it is no longer in use.

4. 4

   Check access and save

   Choose the audience and review the details before saving. Only share instructions you are authorised to provide.

Add the details that keep guidance useful

• Choose who can read it: the team, professionals, family/supporters/person at the centre, or Team leaders.
• Choose an owner and review schedule so someone is responsible for checking it.
• Add a supporting document or video when it helps explain the instructions.
• When a linked document is the source of the instructions, mark it as a source where offered so a replacement can prompt a review.

Review the current instructions

When you are authorised to review a protocol, use Still current if the guidance remains correct, or Update instructions if it needs changing. Check the review details before confirming.

A review-due label means the guidance needs checking; it does not by itself say the instructions are clinically wrong. If you are uncertain, contact the owner or responsible professional.

A replacement source document does not rewrite the protocol. Review the actual instructions and update them where needed.

Read the latest guidance before using it

Open the current protocol and check its status, instructions and review information. If Mark as read is offered, use it after reading. This records reading; it does not certify training, understanding or clinical approval.

If you print or download guidance, check it against Kinovo when you use it again. A saved copy does not update when the online instructions change.