Computarized Med Pass in a LTC facility????????

[pretty70]

I work in a Dementia Unit in LTC facility. My facility is changing pharmacy services. We are going to get computers in the med cart. Please share your experience how you feel passing meds with a computarized MAR in a LTC facility. Pharmacy's name start with a M. Thanks in advance.

[systoly]

Wow!That's cool. Just curious is it a LTC facility? Please tell us more about that system.

It's a retirement community and this is in the assisted living area. I don't work there myself, but I'll find out more and post.

[Roxyann57]

my facility is slowly switching to computerized everything. we were told it was a law that was passed that by 2013 (i think) every medical facility needs to be computerized. we are charting on the computer and thats about it for now. i'm nervous for the electronic mar but i guess we all just have to go with the flow!

[wearingmanyhats, RN]

I LOVE IT!!

the system I use when I work as an agency nurse, has barcodes... it is a real joy to do the medpass there...

[sls73]

I like it too, been using computerized med pass since 2005 at our facility. I can't imagine going back to paper.....

[BelleP]

Are you at liberty to say the name of the kind of software/system your are using? PM me if you cannot. :) Thanks!

[RNBearColumbus, BSN]

Been using electronic MAR and TAR for a few months now, and it's AWESOME. Once everyone got used to it, it reduced the amount of time spent on med pass by an average of 30-40 minutes, depending on the unit. Give it a chance. I think you'll like it.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

LOve LOVE LOVE it...We went live in Oct-several of my co-workers who were computer ignorant quit before they even started the training.A couple more continue to have problems (they don't use PC's outside of the facility and are VERY resistant to any kind of change) The rest of us are very happy.We don't scan meds (eek-that would take too long with these folks) Our med passes are faster,errors are way down,we have more time at the bedside.We can order meds on the fly-we used to have a problem with running out of meds that are not part of our monthly delivery-that has minimized. I can't wait for the next phase-our care plans will be integrated.Imagine taking off half a dozen new orders,calling all of the first contacts, writing a nurse's note,ordering the meds and updating the care plans in MINUTES. AND if it's an unfamiliar med the info is right at your fingertips. And the nurse's notes-we have lots of templates and more coming .What a great resource. I can't say enough positive things.You will love !

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

I LOVE IT!! the system I use when I work as an agency nurse, has barcodes... it is a real joy to do the medpass there...

But doesn't the barcode system take forever? If I had to scan EACH med before I gave it, I'd never finish on time. I have 40-50 residents on 3-11. Most of them get a bucket of pills. How is this doable??

[AngelRN27]

I just completed my first month as my first nursing job at an LTC facility and we use paper charting. But I'm not sure why many posters have said that a barcode system would be impossible? Isn't scanning a barcode just the same (or possibly faster) than writing your initials into a box?

Also, it is true what ktwlpn stated-- computerized charting systems do save time on a million other things... reordering/tracking meds, updating care plans, signing off or viewing treatments, etc. Also, many MD's or PA's that work for hospitals have systems where they can enter new orders from home and BAM that's done! Lol... I have not heard anything at my facility about switching to an EMAR, so I guess perhaps in FL that whole 2013 issue hasn't taken effect? Not sure...

[systoly]

There's no question that electronic data handling has endless potential for efficiency. The problems are in how it is managed.

One of the biggest problems is lack of training. A lot of staff I've worked with this year, simply don't know the software well

enough to use it efficiently. Another problem is not having an IT person in a large facility which has gone strictly electronic.

Hardware is another problem. A laptop with little over an hour battery life on a med cart..., no spare computers (they do break),

special situations such as when a nurse has to access the med cart, because the CMA cannot administer certain Rx or do PEGS,

the CMA has to log off, the nurse has to log on and off again and the CMA has to log back on, that can be a 15 min process

multiplied several times a shift.

Having just worked the noc shift into the first of the month, I can assure you, I'm sold on electronic data handling, but it all

comes back to how it is managed by the human factor and how many resources management is able or willing to allocate to

truly realize it's potential.

Now more than ever, mgmt needs to be familiar with the day to day operations of their facility and right now I don't see that

happening.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

There's no question that electronic data handling has endless potential for efficiency.

Off-subject, but it's so nice to see you return, Systoly. :)

[systoly]

thank you Commuter