[PACUJennifer]

Hi,
I am an RN,new to this Nursing Site,and am having fun looking around! It's always rewarding to hear and read other nurses' opinions and ideas. If you currently have computerized charting in your area,our unit is extremely interested in hearing your opinions and views:

I work in PACU (post-anaesthetic care unit (Recovery Room)). We are rapidly approaching the 'go live' date for implementing computerized charting in the O.R. and PACU areas. To say that it has been stressful would be an understatement! Granted,some of that is the normal response to change of any kind - anxiety/stress associated with learning and putting into practise something to which you are unfamiliar -stepping out of your 'comfort zone'.

More importantly,we have serious concerns about using this particular system (the first one tried here),with respect to it slowing down our nursing practise considerably (one example is that the system chosen (with NO nursing input whatsoever ) does NOT interface with our moniters,so that every vital sign must be logged in by hand - Q3 minute VS for someone receiving treatment for hyper- or hypotension will be required -and that alone is freaking us out! ). Especially relevant,we have real concerns about it's effect on patient safety.

So, have you experience in computerized charting in a hospital environment? Can you shed some light on how it's worked for you,your colleagues and your patients? Has it had a positive effect on your unit? Any concerns?

As we are meeting with our NM to formally submit our concerns,not that it's going to do one bit of good right now,but we've got to start somewhere...

Thanks muchly!
Jennifer

[smbrn]

I've worked in two hospitals that have had computerized charting. I loved it once I got used to it. What a time saver! I've only worked on med/surg units and so can't speak to particular issues regarding OR/PACU. I'm not surprised to hear no nursing input was sought when purchasing a system. The last hospital I worked at purchased a lab labelling system that was entirely unworkable even more than a year after getting up and running. Same thing. Zero input from the people who would actually be using it in real life. Good luck. I'll bet in the long run it will be a substantial improvement over whatever paper system you've used up until now. If I might ask, how are these q3 minute vitals recorded now? Is it time consuming as it is or do you expect the task to be even more time consuming on the computer? Just wondering.

[PACUJennifer]

Thanks for your reply,SMBRN - currently we do all of our paper charting in a 6 page booklet,at the bedside of each spot,which is where the laptops are located as well. We are expecting the recording of freguent vital signs to be a nightmare. Right now,we draw symbols on the lines corresponding to the number values of the vitals,and it's very quick - with the new system,we plug in each number by hand;even when we increase our speed with use of the program, it's definitely going to take more time -right now our vs need to be checked and recorded q15mins,IF there are no problems.

Doesn't sound very frequent, but when you factor in the q15 min circulation checks,increased (q5min) respiratory monitering during admin of analgesic,which is ++ frequently given in this type of unit, and the 101 tasks -elevating operative limbs, checking and reinforcing drsgs,applying warming blankets,providing reassurance,reorientation, and answering pt's often groggy questions (asked over and over sometimes) - time is a real premium. I haven't even mentioned your other pt assignment,nor helping your colleagues with their new admissions!

One of the biggest drawbacks to this program,in addition to the fact that 'they' (whoever 'they' are) chose one which didn't interface with our moniters, is the poor setup design of the program -it's very clumsey,cumbersome. I could go on and on about all the problems we've id'ed,but I won't!

Can you tell me a little more about how it has saved you time?
Thanks again!

Jennifer