Healthcare / Free editable template

Patient admission turtle diagram template

A turtle diagram describes one process in enough detail to audit or improve it. This example looks at admitting a patient from the emergency department to a ward bed, with the inputs and outputs as the head and tail, and the four legs showing the equipment and systems, the people involved, the methods they follow and the measures used to judge it.

This is a planning example for process improvement, not clinical guidance. Follow your organisation's policies and clinical protocols.

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Patient admission turtle diagram example showing process at the centre, inputs and outputs, resources, people, methods and measures
Everything in this example is editable. Replace the labels, move the shapes and adapt the layout to your work.

How to use this template

  1. Define the process

    Write the process in the centre with a clear start and end, such as decision to admit to patient in a ward bed.

  2. Fill the six areas

    List what goes in and comes out, then the equipment, people, methods and measures the process depends on.

  3. Check the measures

    Make sure each measure is collected today. Missing measures are often the first improvement.

Questions about this template

Can I use the same layout for other processes?

Yes. Change the process in the centre and rewrite the boxes around it, such as inputs, people and measures, for discharge, theatre booking or any other process.

Do I need an account to use it?

No. Open the template and edit it in your browser. Your work saves on this device. An account is optional if you want to sync your workspace.

Can I export the finished diagram?

Yes. Use Export in the editor to save a PNG, SVG or PDF, or download an editable .epicdraw backup.

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