Private Duty wish: computers!

[Elektra6]

I love tech and I'm tired of writing two pages of narrative notes per shift and then dropping them at the office weekly. Does anyone's agency do it better?

Our visits office uses computerized charting though 😢

[smartypants22, LVN]

My agency supplies iPads, tablets or laptops in the families' homes. If the household has an ipad or tablet, then there is also a keyboard with it. We also can chart online from home if we didn't finish during the shift.

[nicole anne, BSN, RN]

My company went electronic about a year ago. They wrote their own secure website/program for documentation and MARs. I find it takes much less time to document as things that don't change are carried over to every flowsheet and don't have to be handwritten in each time. It's also much less hassle to mail flowsheets and time sheets back to get paid.

However when they wrote their program they allowed for "clinical directors only" access to certain areas (care plans, comprehensive nursing assessments, etc) and they are very often outdated because the directors don't have time or aren't speaking with clients/nurses often enough to update. I know I've spoken with my clinical director several times over months about changes and have yet to see them. As an RN I am perfectly capable of updating these myself.

Each home has their own computer and wireless wifi (like the prepaid ones from Verizon or AT&T) so it's easy enough if you have to document on the go. Overall I like having the computers better than the paper documentation!

[poppycat, ADN, BSN]

My agency has had computer charting for about 2 years. Each home has a computer which will only work in the home. If the child attends school, the nurse who goes to school must switch to paper charting while at school & go back to computer when they get home. I work nights so I don't have to deal with that. However, at least 2 nights every week I'm forced to paper chart anyway because the computer can't find a connection to the internet. The computers we have are horrible!

One of the really stupid things about our system is that the MAR, feeding sheet, vent flow sheet & a few other things were not incorporated into the computer program. We still do all that stuff on paper but are also required to record meds, vent settings, etc. in a narrative note in the computer. For vent checks that means we are double charting every hour. That, to me, is a waste of time. If this is the only program available for home health, I'd rather stick with paper charting.

[Elle23]

Noooo!!

I love my 2 pieces of paper charting! It is a dream compared to the computer charting nightmare I experienced in the hospital!

Sadly, we are supposed to convert to iPad minis sometime this fall. The ONLY benefit will be not having to drive to drop off my notes.

We are also supposed to start doing a telephone clock in/ out of some sort in the near future. Not sure how that will pan out.

[Elektra6, ASN, BSN, RN]

My boss just informed me there are NO plans ever to go to computerized charting. Oh well, the grass is always greener. Today the case worker came and had a terrible time getting into her computer. She said it takes 15 min to load and locate info. I guess I needed a reality check