Transition from computer to paper charting

[starletRN]

I'm used to charting on computer and just recently took a position at a hospital that still uses paper. Is there anyone out there who had to do this and how did it go for you? Also, do you like one better than the other?

To me, it just seemed like paper bogs the nurses down more than the computer charting and they have less time to get other things done. Is this true or am I just perceiving it that way because I'm a new grad and everything is new and intimidating to me?

[starletRN]

I went from a computer facility to a paper facility...I hate it...the worst is the medication and MD orders on papers---a breeding ground for errors...I am seriously considering returning to a computer-based facility.

I think that's what is worrying me the most. I'm used to having a med cart that has the computer on it. You go in and scan your patient's armband and the med. If it's not the right patient the computer won't let you give it. It's a real safeguard that I'm going to wish we had at this facility.

Not that I wouldn't ask the patient their name and check their armband myself. But if there are additional ways to protect the patient, I want to have them.

As for MD orders, we still had those on paper at the last hospital even though everything else was on computer. The handwriting is unbelievably hard to read.

[starletRN]

I have mixed feelings.

I could fill out the ICU flowsheet in 5 minutes after assessments.

The computer seems to take longer with all the pointing and clicking we do. The only time the computer does save is the time spent looking for a flowsheet when it goes missing.

Computer charting works if there are enough computers to go around, the program is well thought out and the nurses are given adequate training.

Thank goodness for tech support.

I have to memorize 7 different passwords for all the computer functions. I have to change the passwords over time, and cannot reuse passwords.

7? Yikes! I would have to write them down in a notebook and keep them in my pocket.

[lovehospital]

I'm a senior nursing students and been around some hospitals (old fashioned as well as modern ones) I think I'm into ideally a quiet small hospital with a computer charting,does such place exist? Once I obtain my license I'm planning to apply to rural hospitals,urban just dont do it for me at this moment...and computer charting is so much more fun,easy and those doc order are so legible:)

[leekun2010]

I'm a senior nursing students and been around some hospitals (old fashioned as well as modern ones) I think I'm into ideally a quiet small hospital with a computer charting,does such place exist? Once I obtain my license I'm planning to apply to rural hospitals,urban just dont do it for me at this moment...and computer charting is so much more fun,easy and those doc order are so legible:)

my hospital is very small but were smack dab in the middle of an urban city. and were paper going computerized charting in a few months :)

[OCNRN63, RN]

Can I come and work with you? I really hate computer charting. I'm not new at nursing at all, and find computer charting to be quite time consuming, leaving less time for my patients.

Heavens, yes. We're in the process of transitioning, and what could take me seconds to document is going to take much, much longer. I'll be taking care of computers, not patients.

[OCNRN63, RN]

this is bad but I have been a nurse since before computers as we know them were invented

Hello, my sister.

[prinsessa]

I have done both and I perfer computer charting any day. I think it all depends on how comfortable you are with computers. I find it much easier to type out my nurses notes. I can go back and fix mistakes without making my notes look like a mess. Plus I can type much faster than I can write so it doesn't take as long. With paper charting the chart is always missing or you can't read what someone else wrote. Things get lost out of the paper charts all the time and they always look a mess. I always found it quicker to do computer charting but that is just me.

[Up2nogood RN, RN]

I work with paper and computer charting in different facilities. Our computer charting takes slightly longer but much more detailed in physical assessment than the paper assesssment. I think both have their pros and cons. Even though we use CPOE and all electronic orders I've still found errors and have had to call and clarify.