Computer Charting in the OR, looking for users!

Been computer charting in the OR for about 7 years now. No change in turn-over times and I can usually get my charting done in about 3 minutes now. Very quick, dropdown boxes, very little fill in. We always finish in the PACU where the printer is and go on to the next. My only problem with the system is the program is too old and should be brought up to the 20th century. The program is written in an old DOS type, like Alpha4 and really should be re-written in a Windows base program. If you haven't found a program yet look for something that is Windows base because most users will be more familiar with this look. We use MediTech and I don't like it because of it's look. Mike

ditto with shodobe. we also have templates built into the program for commonly done procedures. this is especially nice for those super-fast procedures (like gamma frame placements). of course, you can over-ride the template to change some items, if needed. i love the computer documentation! i really don't enjoy long-hand writing anyway. the only time i have a problem is when the residents think it's ok to use my computer! they're learning that they have "their" computer and i have "mine!" :chuckle

Computer charting has actually slowed us down because there's so many supplies that do not have charge numbers logged, so they have to be entered in by hand.

Not to mention they freeze up all the time.

we use computer charting and i love it. i can finish charting from any location icu, pacu, med surg. the only time i have found a draw back is on ped cases that are short (bmt ect) so i chart in pacu. i think you will enjoy it:) oh! we chart in meditech.

In reply to computer charting in the OR, we have been using it for about 21/2-3 years. I am a tech and can only give my opinion from my perspective. We lost our nurses, they don't circulate they are glued to the computer, our system is what seems to be antiquated, however, I have seen other systems that are user friendly but it is time consuming. Hope this helps

jeannine

In regards to the computerized charting for the OR, we have been using ORMIS for 5 years and I have also helped implement SIS in another hospital. As with everything, it depends on how good your system is. As has been mentioned in other posts, you want to make sure that the system is current technology, definitely windows based and being able to template makes a world of difference. By templating, you can chart by exception. For example, in the BMT cases that were mentioned in another reply. I have everything templated except the lot numbers for the tubes, personnel. times and the alergies for the patients. Also make sure that information can feed over from 1 stage to the next. ORMIS allows more freedom in customizing the different screens to your facility than SIS. Be sure and look at several systems and compare before purchasing. After you pick your top 2 or 3, ask for a list of hospitals that have the system and pick another facility close to your size and call them and ask their opinion of their system. There is always a learning curve with new products. During this learning curve, your circulators do lose their surgical ear somewhat as they are concentrating on getting their charting done. During our implementation, we had the luxury of having 2 circulators in the room so the surgical team didn't feel neglected. Now that we have been using it for so long, we can't imagine being without it. It also allows for a lot of reports being pulled directly from the information in the system. Delay of cases, length of cases per surgeon, turn over times etc. I think you will really enjoy it after the implementation and learning curve.

Usually most of the charting gets done while you are into the case. You can actually try to have the basics input before beginning the case, but this depends on the type of cases that you are doing and your surgeon.

I have actually only done the computer charting in my room, not in PACU or anyplace else. Much easier that way. Never made a difference to turnover times, charting should always be done by the end of the case. Just pick up the copies at the printer and sign off on it.......one set goes on the chart, the rest go for monitoring and records in the OR. The printer is usually in the PACU in most facilities.

Thanks for taking the time to share info, it helps!

Charlene

In regards to the computerized charting for the OR, we have been using ORMIS for 5 years and I have also helped implement SIS in another hospital. As with everything, it depends on how good your system is. As has been mentioned in other posts, you want to make sure that the system is current technology, definitely windows based and being able to template makes a world of difference. By templating, you can chart by exception. For example, in the BMT cases that were mentioned in another reply. I have everything templated except the lot numbers for the tubes, personnel. times and the alergies for the patients. Also make sure that information can feed over from 1 stage to the next. ORMIS allows more freedom in customizing the different screens to your facility than SIS. Be sure and look at several systems and compare before purchasing. After you pick your top 2 or 3, ask for a list of hospitals that have the system and pick another facility close to your size and call them and ask their opinion of their system. There is always a learning curve with new products. During this learning curve, your circulators do lose their surgical ear somewhat as they are concentrating on getting their charting done. During our implementation, we had the luxury of having 2 circulators in the room so the surgical team didn't feel neglected. Now that we have been using it for so long, we can't imagine being without it. It also allows for a lot of reports being pulled directly from the information in the system. Delay of cases, length of cases per surgeon, turn over times etc. I think you will really enjoy it after the implementation and learning curve.

Thanks for taking the time to share info, it helps!

Charlene

In regards to the computerized charting for the OR, we have been using ORMIS for 5 years and I have also helped implement SIS in another hospital. As with everything, it depends on how good your system is. As has been mentioned in other posts, you want to make sure that the system is current technology, definitely windows based and being able to template makes a world of difference. By templating, you can chart by exception. For example, in the BMT cases that were mentioned in another reply. I have everything templated except the lot numbers for the tubes, personnel. times and the alergies for the patients. Also make sure that information can feed over from 1 stage to the next. ORMIS allows more freedom in customizing the different screens to your facility than SIS. Be sure and look at several systems and compare before purchasing. After you pick your top 2 or 3, ask for a list of hospitals that have the system and pick another facility close to your size and call them and ask their opinion of their system. There is always a learning curve with new products. During this learning curve, your circulators do lose their surgical ear somewhat as they are concentrating on getting their charting done. During our implementation, we had the luxury of having 2 circulators in the room so the surgical team didn't feel neglected. Now that we have been using it for so long, we can't imagine being without it. It also allows for a lot of reports being pulled directly from the information in the system. Delay of cases, length of cases per surgeon, turn over times etc. I think you will really enjoy it after the implementation and learning curve.

Thanks for taking the time to share info, it helps!

Charlene

Usually most of the charting gets done while you are into the case. You can actually try to have the basics input before beginning the case, but this depends on the type of cases that you are doing and your surgeon.

I have actually only done the computer charting in my room, not in PACU or anyplace else. Much easier that way. Never made a difference to turnover times, charting should always be done by the end of the case. Just pick up the copies at the printer and sign off on it.......one set goes on the chart, the rest go for monitoring and records in the OR. The printer is usually in the PACU in most facilities.

Thanks for taking the time to share info, it helps!

Charlene

Our hospital has been utilizing computer charting for the past 3 years in the OR, PACU, Nursing units and now in the ER. In the PACU and OR setting, we utilize MSM documentation while the remainder of the hospital utilizes Meditech. After the short adjustment period of getting use to doing things a new way, the computer charting is much easier, consumes less time and allows for more accurate, easier to read charting. In many cases, I have been told the OR spends less time charting then previously because with computer charting it's more of hitting look ups to find out what you want to enter. It is recommended, and we do have, a full time person dedicated to taking care of creating tables, updates and so forth for the program.

My recommendation and something that our hospital is working on, is to try and utilize the same program hospital wide. When we started the computer charting Meditech did not have the means to meet our needs in terms of the OR/PACU so they went with MSM. I understand now that Meditech has caught up to where we are and as such we may be switching in the next year or so. MSM is nice because you put in the type of surgery being done and it brings in all "the card information" for whatever equipment is needed for that surgery and surgeon wants. This is created by the user so a great tool of creating what you need for your specific hospital.

I was anti-computer when it was first suggested at this hospital. Now I don't know what I did before it came.

Hope that helps some.

Cliff :)

Hello, several units in our hospital have gone to computer charting, and now they want the OR to trial some programs.

Do you use it? How do you get it done in the OR room while your circulating?

Can you access the charting from another area, like pre-op, or PACU?

What did it do to your turn over times?

Can you suggest some programs that are better than others?

Thanks in advance!