Final answer:
The charge nurse should immediately clarify the illegible prescriptions with the healthcare provider and educate them on the importance of legible handwriting and using approved abbreviations. Documentation of the incident and reporting to hospital management is also necessary, as well as potentially providing additional prescription-writing training to healthcare providers.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the unit clerk informs the charge nurse about the illegible prescriptions and the use of unapproved abbreviations, the charge nurse should immediately take action to maintain the safety and integrity of patient care. The charge nurse should first clarify the prescriptions with the healthcare provider to ensure there is no miscommunication in medication orders. This is crucial for patient safety and to avoid potential medication errors.
Next, the charge nurse should educate the healthcare provider about the importance of legible handwriting and using standardized abbreviations as outlined in the hospital's policy. Internally, the charge nurse should document the incident and report it to the appropriate hospital management or quality assurance team to follow up and implement measures to prevent similar occurrences. Additionally, the facility may consider providing additional training on proper prescription writing to all healthcare providers to reinforce the standards that must be adhered to for patient safety.