technology and me

Keep getting called on carpet about computer mistakes I make. Nothing to do with patient. I make count errors on accudose machine. I make entry errors on computer nursing assessments. Don't even want to talk about putting orders in computer.... so many problems there I can't count. Maybe I am just getting too old to adapt to new technology.

explorer

There are those days when it does seem that anything new --computer charting, new equipment, new procedures -- are introduced simply so the powers that be will have something else to criticize us about.

I am glad at least that all my mistakes are data entry ones. The patients are getting good care. However, I spend way to much time nursing a computer screen. We have a brand new system that was supposed to cut back on time we spend charting. Any time saved on hand written documentation is lost logging in and out. Logging in and out is a complicated process and since nurses are pulled 50 different direction at a time we so we end up logging in and out a great deal.

I hear ya Oramar...and between the Accudose, EMAR system, and Meditech somedays I feel like a nurse to machines instead of people.I have to squeeze some patient care in somewhere but TPTB don't seem to understand that...LOL!

I think it is all very time consuming.

As far as putting orders in, if one doesn't do it all the time or even frequently, forget about it! That's what they need a unit clerk for.

As far as EMAR, I'm surprised there aren't more errors. The scanning part may be safer but I wonder sometimes about how pharmacy puts the orders in or how they don't have something in there that the patient is supposed to be on (and if the nurse doesn't know they are supposed to be on it, they don't get it!).

I think it is all very time consuming.

As far as EMAR, I'm surprised there aren't more errors. The scanning part may be safer but I wonder sometimes about how pharmacy puts the orders in or how they don't have something in there that the patient is supposed to be on (and if the nurse doesn't know they are supposed to be on it, they don't get it!).

Everyday with Emar involved tediously time consuming checks and rechecks between the chart, the PYXIS/Accudose, hand entering even routine med orders both in Meditech AND EMAR,(after faxing to pharmacy 2-3 times and getting nowhere) Then we have to correct all systems for pharmacy.

I felt I was doing pharmacy's job for them.Took me 4 times as long to pass meds...and in ICU we were hand entering nows and stats...who can wait for pharmacy???. And yes, if an error occurs it is the nurses' fault...and there are sooo many bugs in our system. But... nobody cares... this scanner is a patient safety savior. :angryfire

Sorry...EMAR rant over...LOL! (I left that job BTW and don't want to work with EMAR again...or at least not for a long time til the bugs are worked out) :chuckle

I did my doctoral dissertation on nursing and computers -- and I concluded that not all the changes are for the best. Technology is something we have to "wise-up" about. Yes, we need to learn to use technology when it is to our benefit (and to the patient's benefit, of course) -- but we have to start appreciating the fact that the salespeople who represent the technology companies are really trying to sell us stuff.

Too many hospitals and nurses "buy into" new technology on the basis of what the "techies" say -- forgetting that those techies are trying to make money off of selling us their product.

But ... that does't let us off the hook for learning about technology and how to use it. We need greater expertise within nursing to make wise choices about technology and to use it wisely.

llg

It is VERY challenging having a clinical on a floor with all computer charting. The students for the most part adapt well, but it can take an enormous amount of time teaching the students how to use the computers, pyxis system, getting the kinks out of their passwords, etc. The challenge is for the clinical NOT to turn into one big computer class and for the students to have SOME time on the floor learning to take care of their patients