How many still paper chart everything

[chenoaspirit]

Just wondering. We are so behind times, everything is still on paper and it takes FOREVER to chart everything. The MAR, I/O's, Charing are all paper. Anyone else still using the paper trail?

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

All computer except attending progress notes, which are dictated and typed (residents are on the computer) and all consult notes are paper except infectious disease, for some reason. Oh, and TPN orders are on paper because we use an outside pharmacy and they don't use Eclipsys.

I wish I knew how to paper chart well! The nursing program I attended didn't allow us to chart in clinicals, and the hospital where I work had gone to Eclipsys before I started. So when the system goes down (which is unacceptably often) I have a lot of trouble with the paper charting. Also the computer flowsheets are unit-specific, so you have what you need and don't have extraneous junk. The paper charts are standardized for an adult med-surg unit, so they're really hard to use in the NICU.

[StNeotser, ASN, RN]

We use a mix of paper & computer. When they invent a new form it's on paper it seems. It's a really pain actually.

[hikernurse]

We paper chart everything. They keep "threatening" (LOL) us with computer charting, but haven't found a NICU program they're happy with. Where I worked before had computer charting and I loved it. It was by exception and charting went very quickly.

Here, we chart every hour, at least, and that seems onerous (sp?) to do on the computer. Ah well, they pay me either way :).

Eliza, our paper charts are specific to our unit and they're pretty handy. I like being able to thumb through several days and see how the little one has been doing. It would be hard to work with an adult med/surg form.

[RockyCreek]

I went through the whole 'transition to paperless' charting at one hospital -- it ended up being DOUBLE charting! Now I am at a smaller hospital and [you guessed it] they are claiming that they want to go to a fully computerized 'paperless' system, too. Unfortunately, as good as it may sound to administration, it is NOT exciting to us on the unit. They don't want to spend money on the hardware to make it easy and convenient for the staff but they have plenty of money to spend on the software and IT staff!

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Paper charting - and I prefer it.

steph

[shellsgogreen]

Still paper at my hospital - they've talked about a switch, but I doubt that's happening anytime soon.

We're lucky if we can find a spare vital sign machine when we need one, let alone them investing in new computers etc:p

[NeosynephRN]

Paper here for another week..then we are making the change. I am not happy about it. I can chart on paper way faster than on the computer and I feel like I am leaving tons of stuff out on the computer since our program charts by exception only....maybe I will get used to it...but for now...give me my clipboard and all my papers and I am happy.

[Patience53]

One pediatric office I worked in converted to emr but went back to the paper system they had been using previously as the emr slowed the visit down. Now they just scan the paper forms into their emr. The paper system they use is really easy and doesn't cost nearly as much as the emr. It's a checklist that is efficient and easy to complete..and I didn't have to chart afterwards. My memory is not that good. I love computers too but in our case they slowed the exam time down.

[medicrnohio, RN]

One of my jobs has all computerized charting. I love it!

My other job is all paper charting. We do use a horrible program for entering lab orders. It is not even close to user friendly. We only enter those orders during the week. On the weekends and we have to do lab orders one paper because the labs are sent out. Talk about confusing. It's confusing me just writing it.

[Valanda]

I just started a new job in a detox unit, and everything is paper. Not only is everything paper, but everything has to be written in 2 - 4 places.

The DON actually insisted I fill out an incident report for a work-related injury because after 2 days I had a blister on my finger from writing so much (even with a cushion grip pen).

Granted, the DON is actively trying to convince administration to decrease paperwork and/or switch to computers, so i'm sure that injury report was to add ammunition for the fight!