Electronic Charting

[Libby1987]

We're one of the last hold outs on launching our EMR so if this has already been covered extensively, a link would be great.

Our 1st month was rough, now I have a fairly good grasp of our program but the time involved is still adding another 3-4 hrs/day. That's everything including staff communication that is now via email and the process of scheduling etc.

Can you give estimates on the time for the average admission, routine visit with changes in orders etc?

How long from start to comfort?

[Libby1987]

Bump.

Anyone?

[toomuchbaloney]

I think you are asking a difficult question because there are so many factors involved. Two biggies are how computer literate are the field staff who are learning the system and which software are you using?

[Libby1987]

Yes good point, that's true.

I've gotten a much better grip on electronic charting now as well as an understanding of our software, SunCoast. I think I can update my question to home health nurses in general, those with solid computer skills and a good grasp of both home health and the software, performing intermittent skilled nursing visits, on average how long are your uncomplicated admission and basic routine visits with electronic charting?

The actual software isn't so relevant as I won't be sticking with this one long term as I'll be relocating in another year or so. I'd like to know what is possible.

Hope that is a more answerable question.

[toomuchbaloney]

I have only used SunCoast for hospice documentation.

Using software like McKesson, HOmebase, and (can't remember the third just now) my experience is that the uncomplicated SOC for homecare took me several hours including the visit and all documentation. Routine visit documentation required less than 10-15 minutes for the vast majority of my cases, obviously visit time varied dependent upon type of patient. A resumption of care visit was generally 45 min approx including all documentation.

I find that staff pick up the EMR skills pretty quickly if they are so motivated. Naysayers not so much but that is to be expected. I prefer EMR to paper as do most of us I think.

Good Luck.

[Libby1987]

I have only used SunCoast for hospice documentation.

Using software like McKesson, HOmebase, and (can't remember the third just now) my experience is that the uncomplicated SOC for homecare took me several hours including the visit and all documentation. Routine visit documentation required less than 10-15 minutes for the vast majority of my cases, obviously visit time varied dependent upon type of patient. A resumption of care visit was generally 45 min approx including all documentation.

I find that staff pick up the EMR skills pretty quickly if they are so motivated. Naysayers not so much but that is to be expected. I prefer EMR to paper as do most of us I think.

Good Luck.

Thank you!

I'm not sure how to interpret "several hours". I'm hoping no more than 3.

Would you say with your experience with different software that once familiar they're all about the same from a time standpoint or is the particular software used a significant consideration when choosing between employers?

[toomuchbaloney]

The time for SOC really depends upon the patient of course. But, yeah, no more than 3 is a pretty good standard from my perspective as a general time frame.

The different software packages can be dramatically different. Those differences can be a big issue for some nurses, but they are typically not deal breakers for me. All of them have their good points and their bad. I least prefer McKesson in both Home Care and in Hospice settings but I doubt that a job choice would be made based upon that for myself.

Good luck.