Computerized Charting ...

Specialties Emergency

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I spent the first half of my day in training for the new computerized charting system we'll be using starting at the end of the month ... it seems pretty cool so far! The only issue I see right now (besides computer downtime/power outages) is a lack of available workstations. When I asked about it today, I was told we'd be getting a bunch of "WOWs" -- workstations on wheels. Okay, that's great ... but we barely have enough room in the some of the patient care areas to fit ourselves and the EKG machine, much less a "WOW." Arrghhh.

Has anyone recently transitioned from paper charts to electronic charting? If so, how did it go? Was it a pretty smooth transition? Do you love it or hate it? I'm going to be designated as a superuser because I have an extensive background in computers (and I'm somewhat of an idiot savant when it comes to using software), so I'm just trying to get a feel for how much I'll be abused over the next few weeks. :D Thanks for any input ...

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Specializes in Med-Surg/home health/pacu/cardiac icu.

I have worked at a hospital where they transitioned from paper charting to computer charting. It was a very rough transition for some of the nurses who had done paper charting for 30 years. I personally love computer charting, I think it is more efficient and easier.

Sometimes, space is really cramped with the WOW's. Whatever you do, don't call them "COW's" (Computers on Wheels). I had one family that got really upset when they overheard me talking to another nurse. I had a computer that was malfunctioning and I said, " I wish this COW would die. I could just hit it ." They thought I was referring to their mother. Afterwards they laughed when I explained what I meant.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Whatever you do, don't call them "COW's" (Computers on Wheels). I had one family that got really upset when they overheard me talking to another nurse. I had a computer that was malfunctioning and I said, " I wish this COW would die. I could just hit it ." They thought I was referring to their mother. Afterwards they laughed when I explained what I meant.

That is exactly why they call them "WOWs." A pt. hear them say, "The COW is in room 3," and she thought they were talking about her. So, yeah ... WOW. LOL.

I did my training with our oldest ED nurse today, and she caught on quickly. I had to show her a few things that she didn't get right away to help her keep up with the training, but she did great! She's 71. She rocks, totally. If she can do it, the rest of us have NO excuse!

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The ICU where I work went paperless about 1.5 years ago. Some of the older "AR" nurses had a hard time letting go of pen and paper, but have since then transitioned very well. It's also a brand new ICU they moved to and it's HUGE. So plenty of room for all 12 wows and then at least another 20 desktops at various workstations. The wows are necessary also, because all medication must be scanned along with the patient's armband.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I would really love to have some tablet PCs for charting, but I kinda doubt we'd get anything like that. We have a total of 5 desktops available to us right now, which clearly isn't going to cut it. One is occupied most of the time by the unit secretary, and the other is at the physicians desk. We were told today we're going to get plenty of computers, but seriously, there is no where for them to go! This is going to get interesting. Heh.

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I would really love to have some tablet PCs for charting, but I kinda doubt we'd get anything like that. We have a total of 5 desktops available to us right now, which clearly isn't going to cut it. One is occupied most of the time by the unit secretary, and the other is at the physicians desk. We were told today we're going to get plenty of computers, but seriously, there is no where for them to go! This is going to get interesting. Heh.

Actually, there are tablets available. Most of the techs in our main hospital have them latched onto their bp machine pole. That way they are able to input their VS right there with the patient. Check with your IT dept.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Actually, there are tablets available. Most of the techs in our main hospital have them latched onto their bp machine pole. That way they are able to input their VS right there with the patient. Check with your IT dept.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that something similar is in our budget! :) Thanks!!

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We've been doing computer charting for a few months, w/ the computerized MAR for the last few weeks. We have the COWs (didn't realize the name might be a problem), but they are really slow. We have a laptop in the med room, but it's slower still. So far, I've been doing most of my charting on the same computer I've always used. Granted, we don't have bar-coded meds. We're a tiny hospital- we dont' even have a pharmacist. They say eventually we'll have all those things. We'll see.

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

We have barcoded meds, ships(instead of cows), and it is sometimes a challenge to wheel those through rooms, close enough to scan patients, and push around all shift(It's a real workout)...Personally, I like the computer because it breaks down charting by system and area needed, it seem to go faster...even on a bad night where you're running around the first few hours(like last nite) once you're used to it you can be done charting by 2300(start work at 1700)....then just charting updates....

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

We have 4 desk computers at the nursing station, 2 in the doctors dictating room, and 4 portable computers or as you call them wow's. Somedays these are not enough at all, even though ancillary staff have computers in their own areas they still use ours which in turn leave me running looking for a computer to chart. I have learned to glance at what is on the screen and if not work related, inform that person I need to use the computer to chart on a patient. All you know what I am talking about. Most have no problem with this.

I also was a superuser. Most people caught on quickly, the finer points of where to chart particular items, or putting orders in, all depends on how often someone is doing it. I wish charting was less rote memory as to where to chart as opposed to making sense and being user friendly.

good luck on your unit. I believe you will love it just as most of our staff do.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, ICU/CCU/NICU, EMS, Transport.

Lunah, what program are you using?

We went to "IBEX" in 2004.

Not bad transition at first - it went in steps.

For like 6 months all we did was dispo/discahrge stuff, nothing else, everything else still on paper.

Eventually they got space for all the desktops needed and some WOWs so were' good there.

Then thing I find so annoying is that we're supposed to be paperless, but there is still one heck of a paper-filled-clipboard being used and I work w/several MD's who can't even go see a pt w/o a paper-filled-clipboard!

It also seems like we spend more time at the computer then the bedside!

Arrrgghhhh

Oh, and yes, the downtime sucks!

I am now working with nurses who are so "new", they have NEVER been oriented to our old "paper chart" that we have to break out when the "downtime" occurs!!!!

-MB

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

We'll be using PICIS -- a product called "ED PulseCheck." We're not taking it in steps, though -- no, we're jumping right in, too doing everything electronically. The docs will have to do all the orders and the discharge papers, which ought to be interesting. We "go live" in about 3 weeks.

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