Computers-You DON'T have to use ALL the features!

[RuRnurse?]

We have a computerized med pass at work. It's ok, I guess, but lately our NCM's have "discovered" all sorts of new features...

Last night I worked a unit that has a hellish med pass, even on a good day. The NCM has redone all the orders to include "site", which is a feature that is designed for indicating the administration route. In the past, it was used for insulin, lovenox, stuff like that. Well, this NCM decided that it was good for ALL the meds, I couldn't sign off on anything without having to scroll through a 3 page 'menu'. The 3 hour med pass was taking me close to 4 1/2 hours, and that isn't including tx's, the 2nd med pass or charting!

I went through and "reconciled" every order I came across and removed the "site" feature.

Listen people! Just because a feature exists, it doesn't mean you MUST use it! These computer programs were designed by office seat-warmers who have NEVER done a med pass! And the hysterical part is that other nurses were obviously just clicking off on the first thing on the list to get the med signed off on, so, according to the computer medex, people on that unit were supposedly getting their pm tylenol in BOTH EYES!!! This is going to look REAL GOOD come next health dept. audit...

Are we SO in love with our computers that we can no longer THINK anymore! So, STOP! Put the mouse DOWN, and back away slowly from the computer...Stop being ASININE, and think this stuff THROUGH before you go adding features to an already heavy med pass, especially when the result is that the unit looks like it is run by folks who took the 'little yellow bus' to school...

And, another thing, every NCM should be REQUIRED to do the med passes on their own unit at least once every 6 months. Just to keep it real...

[Sue Damones]

Sounds like you and your co-workers should put together some feedback and present it to your NM.

I can understand you're frustrated, but was the "little yellow bus" comment really necessary? I don't think so.

[RuRnurse?]

Sorry, didn't mean to offend. I actually got that line from a resident at work who DID take the little yellow bus to school. I cracked up when he told me that, so I use it on occasion...

[nitenurse02]

I am sorry your med pass is even more stressful! Having been a med nurse, I can attest to the fact that computers can almost make things harder.

[Mabel 29]

One or two days a week I work in LTC and do the med pass, the rest of the week I ride a little yellow bus with my pediatric clients....I prefer the bus!!

[RuRnurse?]

I just hate the mindlessness of the computer...Demanding a "site" even when we aren't giving any insulin, etc.

That's why it is so important to put the info in correctly at the start. But since it is the office nurses who do this, we end up with stupid issues. That's why EVERY nurse, even admin, really need to do a shift as a working nurse once in a while, so they KNOW what is needed or not needed.