New hosptial computer systems pull nurses away from patient care

Our hospital just switched to Cerner. We had started out with using computerized MAR but we just went back to the paper MAR because pharmacy was totally unprepared for the change and a lot of scary things were happening- meds were being put in twice, insulin was listed under PRN section and was being missed. One of our patients didn't get their coumadin for 5 days because the nomogram orders were being overlooked. I'm really glad we went back to the paper MARs. I do like the computerized assessments but it also seems as though the paper work has doubled. For instance when a patient is admitted you have to not only document all of their home meds in the computer but also write is out on paper for the chart. Also the aides have to chart blood sugars on a paper flow sheet, on their assignment sheets, and in the computer. There is too much double and triple charting involved at this time. Management has also not told us which paper forms we are no longer using and which ones are still to be used so every other day they change their minds about how to chart. One example of this is there is a place to chart restraints in the computer but the paper form is still on the unit so some people are using the computer and others are using the paper because it is still available. There is still a lot of confusion. We have had this system for a month now.

Your statement just mirrors what I have heard throughout my state: the computer becomes another patient! And everybody, including management, is still trying to iron the kinks out of the new technology!
I never cease to wonder why was the staff that eventually would have to utilize the system not involved in the whole process? The pharmacists, the CNAs, the nurses? That would make too much sense, right?
In my facility, where we are represented by SEIU, we have the right to participate in the process and we have vehicles to hold administration accountable if we are not allowed to do so.

I've used eclypsis which was pretty user friendly and went well when we went live. I also worked at a hospital that uses Meditech.......that system sucks no other way to say it. So I guess it depends on the system.

My experience so far with what I believe is eclypsis-- but called "health connect" at our facility (which we have dubbed "hell connect") is not good. I know change is hard, but to go from a computer program that was a couple of screens to input a new patient (triage or ambi, I work in the ER) to literally about 10 screens is very time consuming. We spend more time at the computer to input patient data (more for accounting and records) and it has taken away time for patient care. We no longer have a viable way to communicate via computer with our ER doc's for orders, etc. We have gone backwards with red clothespins stuck on charts to let us know we have orders vs. old system that flags everyone via computer screen to let staff know when there is orders, or pt. to be d/c, or patient has a bed assignment!!! I literally had a meltdown on the first "go live" day when I had to input an ambi. (OK I have a few other stressors going on in my defense---marriage problems, dad dx with lung ca etc. etc.) so I think it was partially "the final straw" but I was finally feeling competent in my job as an ER nurse of nearly 2 years, and then they have to make things harder and more complicated!!! I NEED a secretary!!! HELP!!! I am actually looking at other positions as the ER itself is overwhelming at times, but now--- almost impossible.

Meditech here.
Pro: Its almost impossible to give the wrong med, the computer will show a red box that says : this med is not on the patients emar are you sure you want to give?
Cons: The system has many glitches, alot of the time the whole computer will just freeze and you have to start all over again.
The system we have is bulky, heavy and hard to steer.
If the patient does not get their meds EXACTLY when they are due A big red flag pops up and tells you that you are late, and it wants to know why.
The patients band does not always scan, especially if it gets wet.
Pharmacy's turn around time is SLOW, sometimes we have to fax the same order 2 or 3 times just to get them to add med to emar so we can give it.

I work for an HCA hospital in Florida, which may explain my username. Yes, we have both computer charting, meditech and computer MAR's, EMAR. One is worse than the other. In the last year, the amount of charting we do has nearly tripled. Supposedly the purpose of meditech was to "limit" the amount of charting we did. Ha Ha. NOT! And EMAR! What a nightmare! It's not difficult. In fact, it's fairly easy. IF the barcode on the med scans. And if the barcode on the patient scans. And if we don't kill ourselves, a patient or a visitor with the contraptions we lug around with us called COWS (computer on wheels). And if the batteries don't die. And if... And if...

Then of course there is management threatening us that if we don't have a 90% or better scan rate we'll be written up and eventually fired. Oh the threats I could tell you about.

Truthfully, in my opinion there is less charting done now than there was when we did it on paper as not all nurses are doing their charting. You'd be amazed at how many times you just about finish an assessment in the computer, get distracted for a second and the computer dies on you or shuts off. Then of course you have to start ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!

Oh yeah, computer charting is the way to go!

"...And if we don't kill ourselves, a patient or a visitor with the contraptions we lug around with us called COWS (computer on wheels). And if the batteries don't die. And if... And if..."

Dear unhappynurse,
did you know that the amount of back injuries and other body parts has gone through the roof with the use of the so aptly called COWS? As if we did not already have enough injuries!

And did you know that the Nurse Alliance of SEIU is collecting data throughout the nation about those injuries? Visit the website: www.nursealliance.org and learn more about it!

Meditech is the WORST. OH I can't wait til our contract is up....no one likes it---not the dr's nor the nurses....It feels like the countdown to ending a jail sentence. I hope Meditech goes the day our contract is UP.

We combine the computerized system for med administration and continuity of care, teaching, plan of care, restraints, and I&O with the ICU flowsheet. The combination works well, particularly when a patient is stepped-down to another unit.