Computer Charting

[rnWinn]

Who uses computer charting? Do you like it? Is it much faster than writing longhand?

[CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN]

Yes, true. It is much mucho faster however I tire of the endless mouse clicking...I did not sign up for a clicking gig!

[ann945n, RN]

We have it and I hate it. It's hard to retrive data from (you have to print it off) and it makes your hand soooooo tired with click click click and it leaves no area for elaboration or explination.... they obviously didnt consult anyone in our facility before putting it in!

[grbrico]

We started it at our facility this past year.... I am a computer whiz.. and I absolutely HATE IT. They said you would spend more time with patients less time charting.. OMG>... We spend HOURS charting.. and less time with patients.. charting has to be done.. patient care has to be done... its the most horrid thing. Im an RN.. I dont mind doing the paperwork.. thats just part of it... but the endless clicking, and pages and pages and pages and pages of charting we do.. when our charting before... were on two assessment forms, and then narrative charting... badda bing badda boom.. done... oh.. did I say I hate the computer charting??? Paperless.. HA... they have added so much more paper with paperless charting.. its insane.. even our physicians abhor it. Good luck to those who are going to that system... Im waiting for the day the computers go freakin haywire.. and oops.. lookie here... old fashioned written charting... who'da thunk??? LOL

[rnWinn]

Do you have computers in all the rooms? That is, on the labor units?

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

We have had it for several years and we love it. If you become a proficient typist you will get your notes done in a fourth the time. Saves writers cramp for those patients who have a lot going on and you can always find it real quickly by calling up the date an entry was made rather than sorting through sheets and sheets of papers in a medical record or chart. All your vitals, I&O, everything is just a click away, no flipping to different sheets. Anything you need a copy of can by printed off. Any charting that needs to be corrected after a patient has discharged can be done right from the floor and noone needs to run to medical records and have someone take the time to find the paper chart. As much as people dont think they will like it, after you get used to it and see the benefits it is much better.

There are several different charting programs, maybe that is the difference. We all thought the paper charting would be easier too until we got used to it.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

We will be moving to computerized charting within the next few months. I have no idea which charting package our facility chose, we mere bedside users don't need to know that sort of thing. Nothing has been said about education as yet, but the charting stations are being installed at each bedside and the electronic hookups are also being set up. Having said that, the manager of the project did consult with a number of nurses, RTs, unit clerks and physicians about what we do and how we document it. We'll see how it goes... we have a significant number of technology-naive people working in our unit, so the learning curve will be very steep.

[RNLaborNurse4U]

We use the QS system, and have a computer in each labor room to chart on. We also have a portable computer on wheels for each triage bed. Since I grew up on computers (essentially) I love, love, LOVE computer charting!! Our system is set up where you click on particular tabs in the program, and then either click your choice, or hand type in your charting (ex: fhr, contraction frequency, duration, etc). You can also free text with an unlimited number of characters under the "nurse's notes" section.

The downside to computerized charting in L&D - when the computer system goes down, then the strips are not saved, nor can you chart on the computers (obviously). Then, we have to physically save the paper strips, and we have to chart on downtime forms (paper charting forms). The newer nurses have never done the paper charting, except when the computers are down, so they flip out, because they don't know where things are on the paper. The "older" nurses who used to chart only on paper don't mind the paper quite so much, when it needs to be used, but, for the most part, everyone likes the computerized charting the best.

I really feel that it saves time, especially if you're a fast typer.

[niccilam]

We are going to start computerized charting in the next couple of months with the WatchChild system. Is anyone else using this system? How does everyone like it?

[LDRNMOMMY, BSN, RN]

We have used computerized charting for over a year now and for the most part LOVE it! There is a computer in every room, in every OR, in triage and a laptop, our OR recovery area also has a station and a laptop, and at the nurses station. There are even stations in the Dr's lounge for them to review strips.

ETA: We use OB-Trace Vue

[mugwump]

Can I just say IPROB Sucks

[crissrn27, RN]

My previous hospital had pretty much ALL computer charting. That hospital had Watchchild and Misys CPR. I LOVED it! Now I am at a much, much larger hospital, and they are all paper charting. I am having a really hard time with it. Driving me nuts. I guess what ever you are used to is what you like.

For Nicc, Watchchild is great. At least from what I have heard (I was in nursery there, now in L and D). We had a Watchchild screen in the nursery, but we didn't chart on it, just watched how the baby was doing, etc. Most of L and D charting was done right on the strip, as well as VE's and membranes status, etc. Most of the L and D nurses loved it. The docs had Watchchild access at their office and homes, it was nice.