TR_DocBox

I completely understand the cynical apprehension. I have spent quite of bit of time already observing nurses and what I am currently working on is methods to decrease double documentation, especially in the electronic format. I am not working on work flow redesign, but how new technology needs to meet the clinical staff somewhere in the middle. An example is automatic verification of infusion pump settings (from the pump directly) with the orders and dosage guidelines, then the automatic documentation of those settings at the bedside along with vitals. Thus generating the complete set of documentation (shift dosage, vital signs, pain, sedation score, etc) with a single input, single form of documentation, and the safety checks which all it requires is you to verify and sign. If the administration needs 3 forms then let them be created automatically. There is no point adding a system which adds more work for the clinical staff and doesn't give the clinical staff anything back. From other sources I am seeing a consistency that 25-30% of nurses, and therapists time is spent documenting with a lot of double documentation all I am saying is from what I've observed it should be made easier so you can be nurses and not data entry people. Thank you for your responses.

A clinical engineer is officially someone who applies engineering practices to health care and the practice of medicine. I have a masters degree in engineering and prior to be certified I am required to spend at least 4 years working the the health care environment. Personally I have spent 8 years in the research word, evaluating patients and collecting research data alongside nurses, physicians, and therapists. I then spent 3 years working for a large integrated health system in the US working point of care device installations. On a day to day basis I evaluate technology, make recommendations on the quality and safety of medical devices. Plan and coordinate device and information systems implementation. I evaluate devices for cause of failure or usability. And on rare occasions I have to get my hands dirty and fix something . I also spend a large amount of my time providing clinical staff in services on new equipment (normally i provide refresher trainer for nursing practice coordinators) and providing administration evaluations of equipment, estimating project costs and advice on new and innovative equipment. It isn't a new field but there is only about 1000 people in the US who have the title of clinical engineer. Large health care systems and research hospitals employ most of us. One of the areas this field is moving towards is evaluating system events in health care this includes the people in the process as well as the technology and how they work together. Prior to my current position I spent an average of 4 days a week in the clinic trying to make clinical staff lives a little bit easier to understand what they really needed and if what the administration thought they needed matched up. Hope that helps.

I am not a nurse but have spent many years as a clinical engineer in both hospitals and outpatient clinics. My question to the group is how much time during a normal shift is spent on documentation. Then how much of that time is spent documenting vitals signs, patient assessments (such as pain or sedation scores) or settings from medical devices. How much of this is paper or electronic or both? and Finally has your documentation time increased or decreased with the use of EMRs. Thank you in advance Tracy