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!

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!

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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!

Hi Charlie,

I am an experienced nurse, but a new graduate of the perioperative program at the hospital where I work. We do use computer charting in the OR and it seems to work ok so far. The most difficult time is when you are doing quick cases half an hour or so. It is just not enough time to get it all done. The computer charts can be accessed from the POHA as well as the PACU and if you are unable to get it all done during the case, you are able to go back later andn finish. It has been the easiest part of trying to learn my new specialty though! Good luck....Tresa

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Hi Charlie,

I am an experienced nurse, but a new graduate of the perioperative program at the hospital where I work. We do use computer charting in the OR and it seems to work ok so far. The most difficult time is when you are doing quick cases half an hour or so. It is just not enough time to get it all done. The computer charts can be accessed from the POHA as well as the PACU and if you are unable to get it all done during the case, you are able to go back later andn finish. It has been the easiest part of trying to learn my new specialty though! Good luck....Tresa

Thanks for sharing Tresa, hang in there...you'll be precepting before long!

Charlene

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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 :)

Thanks Cliff, we have Meditech, and have been printing computerized charge, pick sheets for two years, only prob I have with that, is they just don't update the sheets when you make corrections!

thanks Charlene

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

"Thanks Cliff, we have Meditech, and have been printing computerized charge, pick sheets for two years, only prob I have with that, is they just don't update the sheets when you make corrections!

thanks Charlene"

One place I work at has the nurses responsible for individual surgeons, so if there are changes to a procedure you go to the nurse that has those procedure cards and they make the changes. This is so one person isn't responsible for all of the surgeons.Preference sheets are updated in a more timely matter. Mike

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We recently completed the big changeover from hand-written to computerized charting. We use the PICIS system. At first, it was difficult. Some of our nurses had never used a computer, and all attended a class just for that. Our computers are basically a laptop, on a movable cart, that can be lowered when sitting, and raised when standing, as well as unplugged, and moved around the OR suite, even moved from the suite, to another area. Once everone was used to them, it was great. Charting was much faster, especially when templates are used. The drop-down menus were easy to navigate, to change info. We did create a position for an IT Resource Nurse, whose job is to keep all the preference cards, templates, etc. up-to-date. She also now precepts new staff to the system, and assists anyone having problems with the system. Our charts print out in PACU, and there is a computer there, in case of last minute charting. Our turnover rates did not change, but; there were many other advantages. Billing was much easier, and more accurate. We could track surgeon's actual times, not their "stated" times. Pretty much anything we needed to track could be obtained quickly.

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