Electronic Process You Would Like to See in Schools

[BunnyBunnyBSNRN, ASN, BSN]

Howdy!

I am currently working on my RN-BSN and have a project that is due at the end of April. I was hoping you all could help me out. The assignment is as follows:

"Identify an electronic process you would like to implement in your healthcare agency. The process must be one which is not already in place. ...develop a PowerPoint presentation for an administrator at your facility describing the integration of your process into nursing practice."

She goes on to list the following examples:

* Medication dispensing systems - um, not necessary or feasible in the school setting

* Bar coding medication systems - again, not feasible in the school setting

* Clinical decision support systems - the only thing I can think of is a "triage" process that could be used. thoughts?

* Computerized provider order entry (CPOE) - not even going to go there

* Web based patient education systems - maybe, but we usually don't put anything more than "have seen by a doctor" in writing

* Telemonitoring systems - not it schools!

* Remote monitoring - again, this is a school setting

* Handheld devices - not sure what is meant by this

TIA for your input!

[intheweeds]

That assignement must be a lot easier for people who work in hospitals! I like the triage idea, like a computer program/automated decision tree that could help you or a teacher make a decision in an urgent situation (though you probably don't actually need this). Mabe an automated e-mail system that sends out relevant public health news (flu vaccination info, outbreaks) to parents? Maybe a vaccine tracking system on the computer (if you don't already have one)? ...In our office, I use Excel for my daily log and medication administration, and have it set up so I can run reports and track trends in illness, etc. and make graphs to show the administrators what goes on in here. Not super high tech or innovative, but it's something. That's a tough assignment. Good luck!

[BunnyBunnyBSNRN, ASN, BSN]

Thanks for the input, Weeds! I really appreciate any suggestions. :)

Here, we have a computer charting system that we also put immunizations in and can run reports for that. I like that automated e-mail system idea. It goes hand in hand with my boss's suggestion of web-based information/forms, etc that parents can have access to from our website. Mmmm....something to think about!

Hope you have a great day!

s

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

Most of the better charting software has things like immunization trackers and reports that can show you a trend in visits. In my state there is a state maintained database of children's vaccinations - it's still a voluntary participation type thing - but it would be great if the charting software could talk directly to that website via the internet to ensure that the info on hand is the ost up to date without having to rely on parents getting the information in in a timely manner.

Maybe another idea is a means to schedule students for screenings based on slots in their schedule that would allow them to miss a portion of class AND informing the students of the appointment.

[skercher]

intheweeds,

Could you give me more information about how you set up excel to document your healthroom/student information? We don't have electronic records that are reliable and I am doing everything on paper. I would love to be able to record my notes, etc. in the computer, but I don't have alot of experience in setting up excel. I am new to school nursing and I'd appreciate any help you could give me,

Thanks!

[nightie-night nurse]

The hand-held device could be something like a blackberry or other smartphone that would have your electronic records and charting system on it where you could chart away from the clinic, but without the bulk of a laptop. This could be helpful if you went to a classroom to provide care for a student having a seizure or other emergent problem where they could not be moved. Then you could enter data as it happens. Just a thought.