Watchchild - again

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.

Okay, it's a gripe and I'm whiny, but here goes. We are now live with Watchchild: all of it, not just the admission part. And I didn't like it before and I really don't like it now.

I had a delivery last night so had charting from 1510 to 1612 (time of delivery) plus the recovery and baby parts. The labor and delivery was very quick, unanesthetized and therefore, absolutely no time to make the computer happy. (and I don't consider it my priority). Anyway, after the recovery was all done and I had triage assigned for my last 4, I did the charting. That was a 2 hour 15 minutes job! Thank goodness triage was empty!

I do not like having to switch screens all the time; I now have a new fear and that is of missing something really important because there's no way to spread it all out and look.

Perhaps the saddest thing about all of this is that the patients are going to feel pretty neglected when the nurse's nose is buried in a keyboard all the time, and that's what it's going to amount to.

Don't like it. Another reason I'm happy to be retiring soon, and maybe sooner than I'd originally planned!

Thanks for listening.

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If I may ask, what is "Childwatch"? Of course I don't do charting, but I'm curious.

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I don't know what "Watchchild" is either. I'm guessing a computer program for charting L&D.

We use paper charting fortunately but it still takes a long time sometimes to sort it all out when you are in a difficult or even a fast delivery because there are notes scattered everywhere . . the chart, the strip, papertowels. . . . .;)

steph

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Specializes in L&D.

We don't use WatchChild, but we use OB Trace and I really like it. Our Mother/Baby is still on paper and I hate it! Computer charting is so much faster and less fatigueing on my right hand. Once you get used to it, typing is much faster than writing.

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I did a google search on WatchChild. I figured it was a charting system before I did so. Oddly enough I did find an article from a business journal saying that sales of the software have been halted while they work out the kinks.

Baby monitor's ills spark firm to halt sales, realign - Triangle Business Journal:

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.

Yes Watchchild is a computer charting program for L & D. No it is not faster than writing when you consider how slow our computers are and how many times you have to type in your user name and password. Trying to find something you think you've done is like a scavenger hunt. And I do not appreciate having to take time away from my patient interaction in order to do this. It might get quicker with more experience, but it's not likely to enhance patient care in any way.

I am by no means computer illiterate and can type at 70 words per minute, but this program is not going to save me any time.

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.
I don't know what "Watchchild" is either. I'm guessing a computer program for charting L&D.

We use paper charting fortunately but it still takes a long time sometimes to sort it all out when you are in a difficult or even a fast delivery because there are notes scattered everywhere . . the chart, the strip, papertowels. . . . .;)

steph

Yeah, and I like it that way! At least you have the chart, the strip and the papertowels where you can lay your hands on them, look at them all at the same time and cross things off as take proper care of that bit of information.

Some things are better left like they have been. Just my opinion of course, which obviously means absolutely nothing!

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Specializes in L&D,Wound Care, SNC.

We went live with OB Trace Vue earlier this year. Our unit definately had growing pains. I think we all wanted to throw our computers out the window! For the most part we absolutely LOVE it now. The admission process is a little longer than with the orginal paper charting, but I don't think I would want to go back to paper charting now.

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Specializes in OB, lactation.

We use WatchChild too. I'm a new nurse so I don't have much to compare it to, but I know that some of our agency nurses use TraceVue at the other hospital in town and seem to like it better.

I think we've been using WatchChild for some time - I don't think it's the latest version.

We use WatchChild through delivery (except for our drugs/MAR, which is in our hospital-wide compuer system and drug admin has to be signed off in there), then after delivery we switch to our hospital-wide system for postpartum charting. I don't like having to use two different systems that don't communicate. Then, of course, some things are still on paper so that's another whole thing...... (!)

I try to stay caught up on WatchChild as things unfold, whenever possible at least, or else I'm there forever after shift change catching up on charting.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

we will be using QS soon. I think many computer programs slow things down and really bog us in our charting. It stinks; most of these programs are neither well-tested or developed by the people stuck with them.

case in point: meditech. BLECH.

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The programs are not user friendly. Hard to remember all the prompts, but shouldn't a computer be programed to accept the entire word, e.g. wheelchair or the common abreviation of w/c instead of ONLY accepting w ?? Sooooooooo frustrating to try to please the computer. Nurses are never consulted in a remodeling project either. Wouldn't you LOVE to hear someone ask, "What would make patient care easier for you to accomplish?" I have never heard it in 34 years of nursing and doubt I ever will. So many changes, I have ridden the waves for so many years. Just starting to look forward to not having to do it any longer, but don't see too many younger nurses clamoring for my job. They come, they go, they leave nursing and I can't blame them.

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Specializes in LDRP.

I'm sorry its not working out well :(

We have QS and i love it. It's really neat. I've used Meditech before, in nursing school (though for med/surg, not for OB) and it sucked.

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