HH and Computers

1. Hi,
   
   I have just started back in HH after a seven years absence. Needless to say I missed the whole PPS/Oasis transition. The HH agency now uses a small computer device in the field for all charting. Basically all the usual paperwork is now done on this device. I'm still learning the software but it seems rather complicated and time consuming. I'm still training with the device and I imagine the more comfortable I feel with it the easier it will seem.
   I was wondering how other HH nurses feel about the transition from paper to computer?
   I'd be interested in hearing about your experience using a computer generated chart rather than the traditional paper one.
   
   Thanks!

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2. 

   About capless

   Joined: Nov '01; Posts: 2
   RN, Home Health

   15 Comments

   Topic Closed

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3. 
   Nov 22, '01

   Can't help you capless, we're still on paper, and frankly, from things I have heard, I think I prefer it that way. Though I think I would like a hand held rather than draging along a lap top. Wher I go in the city, I would feel very vulnerable carrying an expensive laptop with me.
   
   BTW, welcome to the HH forum.
4. 
   Nov 23, '01

   Hi Hoolahan,
   
   Thanks for the welcome!
   
   The "field device" we're using is not quite a laptop. It's only about half the size of one and just slips into a pocket of our bags. I'm straddling the fence on whether I am going to like it or not. I'm hoping that the more comfortable I get with the software the better I'll feel about it.
   I know the agency has lost quite a few nurses because they couldn't make the transition from paper to this device....and that has me a bit worried.
   The agency is really committed to this system. It's so integrated that they can do everything from figuring payroll to tracking and billing patient supplies.
   I was just wondering if others had any experiences to share about their transition from all paper to computer. I guess I'd just like some reassurance that other nurses are using this type of system and doing well with it.
   
   Sue
5. 
   Nov 24, '01

   Sorry, no field experience here with laptops, still learning my intakedepts STAT system after 2 1/2 hrs....mastered internet though.
   
   My HH agency still scheduling staff with paper and the aides with a blackboard!
   
   They did agree to laptop system by HBOC should be seeing it mid 2002. Others in my county have used it...if you can conquer OASIS paperwork, you can learn to use a computer, LOL.

   Last edit by NRSKarenRN on Nov 24, '01
6. 
   Feb 11, '02

   capless
   
   don't know if this will help but here is my story about the transition
   
   
   http://www.ania.org/networking/ni-story5.htm
7. 
   Feb 15, '02

   I just started back also and our health dept. is in the process of switching all charting over to computers. All the nurses have a laptop. It was hard at first getting use to it all. It does take some time to get use to it also. Right now we do an admit. which usually takes about 2 hrs if not longer. Then we go back to the office and have to document everything again in the computer. So it takes at least 4 hrs to do an admit. The higher ups keep saying once we are all comfortable with the laptops it should go faster, and we should be able to bring the laptops right into our pts home with us to do the admits. Some of the homes we barely have enough room to get to the pt., but now we have to find a place to set the laptop down also. In a way it is nice also because we can do our admit and then go home and do the computer stuff there if we want. I do think in the long run it will be faster and everyone will be able to read the charts. Now we just have to get the MD's to use puters for their orders. lol
8. 
   Feb 16, '02

   I have worked for agencies that utilized HH computers for charting. I never quite got used to the device. If they got the devices more user friendly I think it would have been better.
   
   I did like the autonomy of homecare, I just wished we had worked smarter rather than harder. I now am in a different field that utilizes my experience in home care. It is probably the best opportunity I have ever had. The company is highly cutting edge and innovative.
9. 
   Apr 5, '02

   We use a hand held - fits in our bag. I love it - I hate writing long hand. But I also love computers. The only problem I have is, I do not like to chart on the computer while I am in the home - I chart after the visit - but I do that alot with paper too.
10. 
    Apr 5, '02

    Hi there,
    I am a home health nurse and very interested in the hand held device you use. How does it work and how long does it take you to do an admit from start to finish?
    Thanks,
    Wendy
11. 
    May 23, '02

    we switched to laptops about 2yrs ago.. was soooooooooooooo stressful at first but is wonderful now.. we would not trade them for the world!!!!!
12. 
    May 23, '02

    What lap top system do you use and what can you do on it? I am trying to gather some info for our agency..please let me know..thanks.
    Wendy
13. 
    May 24, '02

    we use fujitsu laptops...these are a regular laptop computer...full memory,etc...the documentation program we use is pathways..just changed the name to horizon...put out my mckesson hboc....this is used by our chha, our hospice and our longterm home health care agency...has oasis in it...does 485s, routine notes, wound notes, verbal orders, meds, the whole shebang....PM me if ya want and I'll answer what i can... it is not entirely flawless, but no program of this sort can be...

    Last edit by sunnygirl272 on Mar 23, '03
14. 
    May 25, '02

    We at our Home Care Agency are using laptops with a lot of problems and complaints from the nurses. The system we are using is ClinDoc. I hate it. I use to do my charting in the home doing an entire system assessment in a short time. Now there is no way I could possibly take my computer into most homes. It took me hours to do a recert recently. I have put in for a lot of overtime and am late on orders and oasis because of this system. All the other staff are also complaining.

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