computerized charting

We are on our third set of laptops. The first ones were very small and SLOW, the second ones were better, and the ones we have now are notebook sized, have wireless modems and are almost as fast as the desktop pc. Our server problems have decreased, but the agency have put in new T1 lines and that helped tremendously. The learning curve for PTCT has consistently been about 6 months. The first 6 months you are lost and then suddenly it makes sense. We have had numerous upgrades and changes. We were (and may still be) the largest agency on PTCT, so have a lot of input into the changes. Our system also interfaces with billing and intake. Makes less paper and easier to get info. I was on call last night, had to go see a pt about 10 pm and could easily pull the chart over, get travel directions, orders, etc and know the pt history. That makes it much easier, makes the documentation easier and helps in continuity.

The agency I just started with have chosen to use tablet PCs. You can use them as laptops but they also rotate to be used at tablets. They are *very* nice and very easy to learn. Just started teaching our first group on Friday, the supervisors....they won't be in the field of course, but need to be trained in case the clinicians come to them for assistance. Next Friday our pilot group begins their training. I'm a little nervous as I've never trained before, but *very* excited! I'm a true computer geek, and very enthusiatic, and hope some of that will rub off, LOL! This agency are going straight from paper to point of care, which is different than my last employer, where we'd already been on computer when we just switched software. I think the tablets will help the transition because you can write freehand, and it won't appear so much to come between you and your patient.....it feels more like a notebook. Very cool.

That sounds wonderful. The main complaint from staff and pts has been that a computer "gets between" the nurse and the pt. I can write and look at the pt and talk, but harder to keyboard in or choose options and maintain eyecontact. The good part has been many of our pts are very interested in seeing the computer and I let them watch me enter vital sigsn,etc on their chart. That seems to help. Tradeoffs in everything I guess.

I work for Hospice and they were just switching to Misys when I started so I don't have anything to compare it to. I have been using Misys to chart phone call records, and enter pt information in the office and love it. It is much better than hand writing the notes - especially since my handwriting is awful! I love having access to the information without all the papers. We are just begining to get the laptops to use the assessment portion when in pt homes and I am looking forward to trying it. I'll be checking back for any tips or suggestions you may have or tweaks you would suggest. I will post after my first week with the laptop and give update.

I work for Hospice and they were just switching to Misys when I started so I don't have anything to compare it to. I have been using Misys to chart phone call records, and enter pt information in the office and love it. It is much better than hand writing the notes - especially since my handwriting is awful! I love having access to the information without all the papers. We are just begining to get the laptops to use the assessment portion when in pt homes and I am looking forward to trying it. I'll be checking back for any tips or suggestions you may have or tweaks you would suggest. I will post after my first week with the laptop and give update.