Positive or Negative... EMR

We are using an EMR, it depends on the specific EMR. I LOVE our system. Do you know which system your going to?

Last I heard it was between Paragon and something else, sorry cant remeber the name.

Thanks for replying thou! So has it helped you personally, has it saved you time(Once you know how to use it)? Give me resons to be positive LOL

I love EMR! I've worked with several. I can't think of any reason there would be an advantage to paper, unless you just don't like computers or aren't good with them.

1. No chart checks

2. Multiple people can see the chart at once

3. No transcribing or guessing at doctor's crappy writing

4. Docs can put in orders from anywhere (provided that they are willing to)

5. Docs can see results from anywhere

6. Orders get updated automatically, no more "flagging" the chart or forgetting to flag the chart and not knowing an antibiotic was ordered 6 hours ago

and etc, etc

We just wheel around our computers and can have all the information we need right there in one place.

I've only ever used EMR. I was hired 5 years ago at my hospital mid-EMR transition. A lot of things were still paper, but most things pertinent to RNs were electronic. I love it. I can't imagine using paper. I hear horror stories about it. No signing off orders- you just get a notification when there's a new order, acknowledge it, and it goes on the MAR. No copying MARs. I can easily find notes from all of the disciplines- and read them, since they're typed. I can in 3 clicks find all x-rays or positive blood cultures or u/a's a patient has ever had at our institute. It's awesome.

I can't imagine life without it. I come from an IT background so using a computer is second nature, most communication was through email, and everything was typed. Going from a job like that to a job where you barely check email was crazy for me. I'm in a paperless office now and it is great! No digging through charts looking for orders, hunting around everywhere for charts, etc. At my last hospital job, we were part paper (for MDs mostly) and everything else was on computer. I can remember knowing there were orders that needed to be entered/reviewed, checked off because three MDs had come by to see the new admit, but never being able to see the chart because a doctor always had it. Then, trying to decipher the MD notes in order to give the family an update. Uggghhh it was awful.

Love it..Love it..Love it. Once you learn it..it is a breeze. I always remember that when they interviewed centurions ( those making it to 100 plus) one of the key characteristics was their ability to adapt to change. So welcome the change and go with it.

Yeah I am with everyone else on this, couldn't imagine doing my job without EMR! Once you get used to it you will be thankful you are no longer on paper!

Hi, Our rural hospital is in the process of implementing the" EMR" system. In my previous position we had access via Sorian, but it was more for a doctors use than for us. All I have heard it negative, negative negatice things about going electronically! Im terrifed, it's suppose to be beneficial and more productive for nurses ( so they have told us!)So does anyone have positive experieince with this? How did it make your job easier?

my only experince with paper charting is from clinicals. i hole to never ever work somewhere with it. the dr , pharamcy, you can all access chart at the same time. easy to find labs, imaging etc . all notes are readable. mds can put in their own orders. some systems flag you when you log in to tell you of new orders. it is super fast for me to chart, i can fill iin the flowsheets and type notes faster than write them out.

Op , what are the negatives hou are hearing about?

remember, when people give negative comments before they have actually tried the system it simply means they do not want to learn a new way of doing things. Give it a chance. Does not really matter anyway, because it is what we are required to do per Obamacare. I like our system, HMS, but it is not perfect. Still beats reading bad writing.

remember, when people give negative comments before they have actually tried the system it simply means they do not want to learn a new way of doing things. Give it a chance. Does not really matter anyway, because it is what we are required to do per Obamacare. I like our system, HMS, but it is not perfect. Still beats reading bad writing.

Is it Obamacare or advances in technology? I feel that regardless of the president we would be moving in this direction.

The bad writing is another plus! I can't read people's handwriting to save my life! Typed is nice, no guessing.

EMR is a mixed bag.

Your experience depends on the program, how available computers are(are there computers in every room and enough at the nursing station) and how much paper charting still remains.

My unit had an exceptionally well-designed flow chart in our paper days. I could fill out the morning assessments and vitals in 5 minutes. You could look over it and quickly get a good idea about your patient.

I accept that electronic charting is here to stay even if it is less convenient.