Paper Vs Computer?

Published

I've accepted a new position with a HH company that does computer charting. I've only ever done paper charting in home health. What are the pros and cons?

Thanks

Peggy

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home health.

The pros are that all the information is downloaded by you at the end of each day, so it is available the next day for all involved disciplines to view. It eliminates the need for you to go to the office to deliver you paperwork so, copies can be given out.

The cons are the programs are very time consuming, ask for too much information and if you're having computer problems it can put you into overtime. So far, it has not been any faster than a paper system for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There is more opportunity for falsification of records by someone who knows how to do it. Have read where entries on forms have been changed by others to reflect what is desired rather than what the originator of the entry wanted to be documented. Who wants to constantly be worrying about a third party going after them and changing their charting, at any point leading up to the investigation or lawsuit?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've never worked in HH without a computer. The program we use is so un-intuitive it is literally anti-intuitive and not user friendly. I came from a different job where I also did computer charting and program was fantastic. So the program makes a HUGE difference in it's usefulness, efficiency and the learning curve. It took me about 3 months which is about 3 X longer than I expected, to feel semi-efficient with my daily charting. Now, it's a breeze and I can type and click though everything so much faster than if I was writing.

Pros:

Quick, easy access to orders, Hx, Dx, past visits. Ability to chart in the home and be done when you leave. Monitor your productivity, schedule, addresses, etc. It's clean, I find paper to be very cumbersome and disorganized, especially when sharing a chart with other people also using it! Puh-lease! I don't have time for that crap. Access to all pertinent patient info any time... no hunting for a fax from the doc or trying to find a lost paper form.

Cons:

Computer quality can suffer to save the company money. Mine is a junker and sometimes runs slow and has frequent glitches. Battery life can be low and require you to plug in while in the patient's home which is kind of an awkward imposition, I think. Learning curve was horrendous for me, (and I am a computer lover and was looking forward to assimilating the program, there was no built in resistance to my desire to learn it). Lag time on clinician charting can be a problem with synching to the main system. Stupid programs made by people who have no clue about medical things.

Though I have VERY bad days with my computer charting, I would not have the alternative.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home health.

I agree, the quality of the computer is so important. I just received a new computer and am looking forward to it speeding things up for me.

My old computer was so slow, I think it was on it's last legs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

It is much easier to compare paper to paper and computer to computer than paper to computer, IMHO. I've done both and I think that anticoagulationnurse and I work(ed) for the same company. The computer depends entirely on what program/software you're using and what computer you have running it. If you're a quick typist, computer-based charting may save you some time. I'm back on paper right now and that's the only thing that slows me down at the moment, I can type much faster than I can write. I also like the ability to edit before I save, which I can't do with handwritten notes. Computer-based charting may also alert you to gaps in your charting (you forgot to fill out a section) while paper-based charting will net you a call from a manager in the office to complete it. Overall, I really like computer-based charting better than paper, but it depends entirely on the program and how user-friendly it is.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As soon as I get to that part of the orientation where I find out the computer and program I will post again, but in the meantime thanks so much for your opinions. I have been in homecare about 9 mos now and although I love it most days, I do miss interaction with other nurses.

P

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Okay I originally asked what do you prefer paper or computer and found out it depended on the software and computer. I will be using a mobile tablet unit and MAT software by Riversoft. Does anyone use this, can you tell me how you like it and does it cut down the time from paper charting? Thanks in advance.

Peggy

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello Peggy I know this is years ago but did you like working with Riversoft? My HH Agency is about to transition from Axxess to it. Is it any good?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion