Computer Charting in the OR, looking for users!

Specialties Operating Room

Published

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!

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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.

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Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

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

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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

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

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.

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Specializes in O.R Trauma Nurse.

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.

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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

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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.

0 Votes
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

0 Votes
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

0 Votes
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

0 Votes
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

0 Votes
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