What computer charting system do you use?

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Specializes in ER, L&D, Mother/Baby & Hospice.

I currently work in a very rural hospital that uses paper charting. On the first of October we are getting ready to go live with a computer charting system that I am sure I will NOT like. It is Meditech. It was not designed for L&D.

I decided if I am going to have to learn a new system I might as well do it at a new hospital while on orientation :chuckle I went for a job interview in a larger hospital in a city nearby and they said they used a system called WatchChild (I think that was the name). I know there is also a system called TraceVue that is designed for L&D. Anyway, wanted to know what systems some of you use, what you like about them, what you don't like about them, etc. Since I am looking for a new place to work, I might as well pick a place that has a cool computer charting system (if all things are equal) as well.

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

Meditech is the WORST.

I have struggled w/this antiquated 1985-DOS-style system for 8 years in 2 separate hospitals.

I can't encourage you; it's cumbersome and time-consuming.

Good luck

If you have specific questions as to "ins and outs" let me know . Maybe i can help.

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Specializes in ER, L&D, Mother/Baby & Hospice.
Meditech is the WORST.

I have struggled w/this antiquated 1985-DOS-style system for 8 years in 2 separate hospitals.

I can't encourage you; it's cumbersome and time-consuming.

Good luck

If you have specific questions as to "ins and outs" let me know . Maybe i can help.

Just the little I have seen in training and input from another nurse that was in a hospital that converted to it, I am sure I will not like it. Because of some "unexpected financial woes" the hospital has announced that it will not be paying overtime when we have to stay over for a shift. Right here at the start of using a new system. They are crazy. Many of the staff will stay because they have been there for 10-25 years. I have only been there 1 1/2 years. I have no strong loyal ties to this place. It will be a little more of a drive to go somewhere else, but I'm a-thinking it will be worth it in the long run.

If by some miracle I do stay at the current hospital I will know where to turn for support--thanks, Deb.

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We use Meditech where I work Cardiac Step-down and WatchChild where I work L&D (the rest of the hospital is going to a system called Invision but it isn't up and running yet).

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I think the VA's system is unique to the VA. It's the only one I have ever used. I have heard many nurses new to the VA state that once they get used to the system it works great.

I have also heard many residents state they hate the system at the beginning of their residency, then at the end they say the love it. Mostly it drives them crazy because meds have to be ordered a certain way, versus "text orders" which is used for all other patient care orders. But if meds are ordered correctly, it brings up last lab results of patient that are pertinent, how many meds patient is on, and possible interactions, then the doc clicks override and types in why, or realizes "duh, I can't give this patient this med, let's order something else."

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Specializes in Case Mgmt; Mat/Child, Critical Care.

We use Clinicomp, carecast/flowcast, also, I've used PACIS, and an IDX system. Clinicomp is by far the best. That I've used, anyway. Good luck!

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We use Tracevue, I love it. Before we went live last February they considered a couple other systems, and had a couple sessions where we could get a quick overview of Tracevue and the other system they were most strongly considering so the nursing staff could give their input.

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We use something called QS. I can't remember what exactly it stands for ... either but I think its Qualitative Systems. Its ok, but I've never used anything else so I have no basis for comparison.

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Meditech is the WORST.

I have struggled w/this antiquated 1985-DOS-style system for 8 years in 2 separate hospitals.

I can't encourage you; it's cumbersome and time-consuming.

Good luck

If you have specific questions as to "ins and outs" let me know . Maybe i can help.

We don't have computer charting for patient care yet but we do our meds on an antiquated PHARMTRAK system - can we say DOS?????

Slow, cumbersome, time-consuming, frustrating, arrggghhhh . . . :bluecry1:

steph

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We use Meditech, the latest upgrade became a little more Windows oriented, you can even use the mouse now (of course I'm so used to not using it, I rarely do.) In fact I'm really starting to like it with the new upgrade. I think a lot of it depends on who you have customizing it for your hospital/department.

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

even w/the mouse capability, you are working in a DOS type format. It's very slow, cumbersome and not very efficient.

If I had my way, we would toss Meditech out yesterday. It's done nothing but make our jobs harder----esp since going online w/EMAR. UG.

PS the dr hate it too; so we are forced to chart I/O and VS on a separate sheet for them. It's really a pita. I would prefer being all on paper to this.

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even w/the mouse capability, you are working in a DOS type format. It's very slow, cumbersome and not very efficient.

If I had my way, we would toss Meditech out yesterday. It's done nothing but make our jobs harder----esp since going online w/EMAR. UG.

PS the dr hate it too; so we are forced to chart I/O and VS on a separate sheet for them. It's really a pita. I would prefer being all on paper to this.

Oh my gosh, we have one doc in particular who would throw a "s**t fit" (as granny used to say) . . if he didn't have I/O and VS IN THE CHART ON A PIECE OF PAPER. We actually have paper charting in OB and PP that has a place for VS and I/O, which we use but also have a separate graphic for the docs so they don't have to go looking through the nurse's notes . . .so we chart some things more than twice.

I agree with you deb . . . . . .the word is definitely

CUMBERSOME :madface:

steph

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