Published Feb 10, 2013
NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN
2,690 Posts
I think it is absolutely ridiculous that a facility can profess to be paperless when the charts in the rack weigh more than the computer! Does management not realize that they have made things more complex by requiring nurses to document meds, care plans, and basic nursing care on the computer AND in the charts???? The computer documentation is EXCESSIVE but at least we can take the computer into the rooms with us and document, check orders, review labs, administer meds, etc. but why on Earth do we have to make sure that what's in the computer is also on the charts? We fill in the blanks online and then have to go fill out the ENDLESS forms at the desk too??!?!?!!?!! There is no wonder the families and visitors report on the satisfaction surveys that all they saw was the nurses sitting up at the desk. If we still have to fill out paper forms and do chart checks and compare the paper chart to the computer, what's the purpose of having an IT department? Is not it their job to design and update the electronic medical record whenever whoever decides there is just ONE MORE FORM that needs to be on the patients' medical record? I think they should be penalized for using excess paper. Millions are being spent on computers so why continue to spend all of this money on paper unless the budget is not as bad as they want us to believe. It is just so annoying when I bust my behind doing patient care which takes the entire 12-hour shift and then when I grab a chart to try to do the darn comparison and checks, here comes the darn doctors to get the ENTIRE chart rack to head down the hall to make rounds AND the oncoming nurses need the computers to begin their morning/evening meds, which leaves me standing there empty handed. But not for long!! I clock out and go home!!!!! No computer? No chart? No need for me to stay!
Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN
20,908 Posts
There is no penalty. :) He who holds the wallet makes the rules.
The only chart that "counts" is the electronic one....the duplicate is for exactly what frustrates you.....the MD. If they could get the MD's to become computer literate and savvy....this problem would be solved. They (the MD's) bring in the revenue it's their choice how they want to see/utilize the information for their purposes for rounds.
CABG patch kid, BSN, RN
546 Posts
I feel your pain. I'm sick of it too.
Overland1, RN
465 Posts
There is no penalty. :) He who holds the wallet makes the rules.The only chart that "counts" is the electronic one....the duplicate is for exactly what frustrates you.....the MD. If they could get the MD's to become computer literate and savvy....this problem would be solved. They (the MD's) bring in the revenue it's their choice how they want to see/utilize the information for their purposes for rounds.
Docs universally accepting, learning, and using computer charting will occur at about the same time the Pope converts to Judaism. They are special, and we must not expect them to change.
imintrouble, BSN, RN
2,406 Posts
Well, the pope resigned today. The first time in 6 centuries?
Maybe there's hope for the docs after all.
HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD
9,051 Posts
Are you having to run parallel systems while bringing your EHR up to speed? Although it's a horrible technique, it's not unusual. However, if this is a continuing thing rather than an interim solution --- YIKES.
Health Care Reform legislation in the US (ARRA) requires conversion to electronic health records. Organizations that meet the requirements can get significant $ reimbursed from the Federal gov. But there are specific metrics that have to be met in order to prove that you are achieving the required outcomes. FYI, one of those outcomes has to do with physicians interacting with the EHR to enter their own orders.. srsly. There are a bazillion other goals and metrics that increase each year. Hospitals have to meet them or the $ stops. If this is what the OP's organization is trying to accomplish, they need to fire their project managers. Running two systems (EHR & paper) on an unlimited basis is not accomplishing anything.
We are all having to deal with the same physician issues re: resistance to change. The only thing that makes a difference is leadership. Medical staff execs have to be engaged in order to make it happen. My organization is well on its way...and since we're a Catholic health system, I think we'd know if the Pope was converting, doncha think?
Bortaz, MSN, RN
2,628 Posts
Well, the pope resigned today. The first time in 6 centuries?Maybe there's hope for the docs after all.
Great minds think alike.....
BrandonLPN, LPN
3,358 Posts
What the what? The pope is resigning? Is it sad that I learn of many major news events from reading posts on Allnurses.com?
wooh, BSN, RN
1 Article; 4,383 Posts
Could be worse. I learned the pope was resigning from FB.