There has been a roll out of the electronic medical record at the hospital where I work. A disproportionate amount of the learning curve has been shunted onto the nurses. The vocal and powerful MD's did not want to do anymore than read the computer screen like they would have read a patient chart. Meanwhile, the nurses have had to learn how to enter orders, retrieve lab data, print charts, print labels, communicate with the lab, and do billing. They are understandably overwhelmed and cranky. Three nights ago I sat with a sick baby in the NICU and composed haiku in an attempt to keep from screaming as the computer system kept us from doing anything to make the child better.
Sorry printer froze
Can't assess your blood today
Guess you'll get no meds
Patient turning blue
Nurse scowls at computer screen
Alarm beeps ignored
Tube please now please tube
Wristband wristband where is it
Soon there'll be no need
Baby needs bolus
Computer needs compressions
Soon I'll need a wig
Culture can't be sent
Group B Strep, E. coli, more?
Now we'll never know
In the long run this e-Record will prevent medical errors, save time and money, etc. In the short term, it's frustrating, impeding care, and making us all old before our time.
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