[longforseaair]

Do the doctors at your hospital enter their own orders into the computer? We are soon to be using a new system where this is supposed to occur. We nurses wonder how it will work and how will we know when a new order has been entered. Especially a stat order???

[DutchgirlRN]

Originally Posted by longforseaair

Do the doctors at your hospital enter their own orders into the computer? We are soon to be using a new system where this is supposed to occur. We nurses wonder how it will work and how will we know when a new order has been entered. Especially a stat order???

We had been promised, for the past couple of years, that doctors would soon start entering their orders into the computer. Never happened. Doctors flat out refused. They don't seem to take it seriously when told that we can't clearly read their handwritting...imagine that!?

I know of one who complained that he didn't know how to type and another who said he had no idea how to use a computer, granted he is of retirement age.

[Kimbalou]

Originally Posted by longforseaair

Do the doctors at your hospital enter their own orders into the computer? We are soon to be using a new system where this is supposed to occur. We nurses wonder how it will work and how will we know when a new order has been entered. Especially a stat order???

They did this where I used to work. You won't know there's an order unless the MD tells you or you keep checking the printer.

[Lisa CCU RN]

I'd think it be simple enough to create a worklist for the nurses on the computer and have it alert the nurse when there were stat orders or any other type of order.
Then you could just check on the computer while you were charting.

And to the doctor who said they can't type, well neither can I, but I manage just fine. How do you get out of medical school and can't type anyway? Didn't they just used to have typewriters anyway and I know us nursing students weren't the only ones writing papers!

[BGgirl]

We do this where I work and it seems to work well. It can be a pain at times when the system is down because then you have to backload everything.

Our doctors are very good about entering orders and stat orders print off on the printer on a green sheet of paper. You just have to keep checking the computer to see if you have new orders and at the end of the shift you do a shift check on the computer to make sure you haven't missed any important orders and that everything has been done.

[cappuccino]

We do have computerized orders. Basically all the orders print up after the doctors enter them into the computer. The stat orders print up in bold lettering. Essentially it's the unit clerks job to check for new orders. The advantage of having computerized orders is that you don't have to take off meds anymore. The pharmacy gets the order and enters it into the pt's MAR. Then we nurse review it. So when you have pts that have lots of meds it makes it much easier. It's soooooo much better than written MARs.... Initially alot of the doctors were against it but administration made it mandatory hospitalwide..........

[CHATSDALE]

a lot depend on how this is presented to the docs..no one likes to have to do new things ie everyone thinks they are overworked but if it delivers good care because every one is on the same bar and you knw what orders were meant this is great..do these order go to pharm? tht would save a step, if a puter can blink when you have a new e-mail it should be programed to indicate a nw order

[BGgirl]

On another note...I think the computer system is beneficial to everyone because it can make things done easier and faster. All our med orders are sent to pharmacy and then are entered into our handheld computers we carry and orders like labs are sent their so lab knows when stat labs are due etc. Basically the computer orders communicate with each dept so that better, faster care can be done.

[RealNurseWitch]

Originally Posted by Kimbalou

They did this where I used to work. You won't know there's an order unless the MD tells you or you keep checking the printer.

That's exactly how it is where I work. Fortunately for me, I work nights here and so very rarely have to worry about any new orders coming through the printer, unless it's a now order that I personally called and obtained from the doctor on call.

[teeituptom]

because doctors are doctors and they will still come and say there are orders for you.