Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Computer in exam rooms

I see patients first, and chart mostly at the end of the day. My MA doesn't use Amazing Charts (planning on bringing her on board soon). Is it more efficient to "chart as you go?" I have been inputing the VS myself.

If you leave a desktop in the room, does the MA log-in, enter vitals, review meds, perhaps some HPI, then log out? Can they enter data under my log-in, and minimize it? Should they carry their own laptop?

How does room charting work with Dragon? I have considered wireless blue-tooth headset with computers in the exam rooms, or a moving laptop, but I think that would impact patient flow, or just look geeky. How about a handheld mike attached to desktops in each room. Any ideas?

Toby,

I have computers in each exam room. My nurse/MA enters the CC, vitals, allergies and logs out. After they log out, I have them click on my user name so that when I enter the room, all I have to do is enter my password and log in. We have laptops but, desktops in each room seemed much simpler to use. I didn't like the idea of people entering information under my name. Every person in my office has a user name and password. This allows me to see who entered what.

I use templates and I type while I am taking the patient history. I am frequently done with my notes when I am done seeing my patient. In a separate area and in my office, I have Dragon Dictate and I have been very happy with Dragon. I didn't want to dictate in the room with the patient listening.

Marty
Family Physician

I have a computer in each exam room and I type while I am talking to my patients or rather...while they are talking to me. I think I'm listening better as I type. I talk too much and typing during the visit has shut me up some.

Marty, StLawrence:
Thanks for the replies. Do you totally close out AC? Or is there a way to log out, and leave the program running? It takes 33 seconds for me to open AC to get to the log-in screen, and another 6 seconds to log-in under my user name/password. Thats 39 seconds to get to your chart.

There is really no reason to ever close the program; just hit Ctrl-L or look for "logout" in the file menu. That will cut your 39 seconds down to 6.

I use fingerprint key pads and it takes about 2 seconds to log in I just open AC each am in the 2 exam rooms I use this to lock it so I can walk out of the room and less room for someone watching me type the password in.

I agree with both of the above. If you only log out of AC and leave the rest of the computer unlocked, that still leaves quite a bit of information available. I lock the screen and then log back in, which takes about five seconds.

Alexis, can you give the link for those key pads and the cost?

Thanks.

I used to log out the computer in exam room.

But new AC version 5 has automatic log out function. Administrative option has the feature. I set auto log out in 1 hours. You may set it shorter. I set auto log out as my employee never logs out at the end of day. I have computers everywhere, thus employee use their own computers.

I use a relatively (3 lbs) light laptop computer on a wireless network and carry it with me from room to room.

I found out there are controversies with wireless, but it works very well for me. I document while talking to the patient; while they are talking I am typing their CC, HPI etc and since it's new often enough I am also doing their meds, PMH etc etc.

The saving grace here is I can type upwards of 40 WPM depending on the day and how accurate I need to be.

By the time the patient visit is over my note is done, the meds are in and all labs xrays etc are ordered with the appropriate icd9 codes.

My MA has an intake room with her computer. She enters the chief complaint, reviews the medication list and enters vital signs. (This is also the room that she uses for injections and blood draws.) Then she takes the patient to the exam room and gets the patient and room ready for me. I have a laptop that I carry from room to room, no need for either of us to log out or log in. The laptop has a built in microphone that works just fine for dragon, I sometimes add a finishing touch to the note after the patient leaves the room before I go to the next patient.

Hi Bert,
http://www.upek.com/solutions/mac/
This is the one I have, we paid about $45 for each one. Well worth the $. I log into my exam rooms and my office each am and open AC and anything els I might want or need. Then when I go to leave the room I simply swipe the finger and lock the system, upon entering the room a simple swipe and I am ready to go. I prefer to chart as I go for the most part. I am solo with no clinical staff only and admin assistant.

I log out of the windows account with (Windows button) + L, and leave AC unlocked. The MA does the same so she can log in quickly and forward the chart to me.

Bert,
Is this the shortcut you're referring to, to lockout your computer when you leave the exam room?

SHORTCUT TO LOCK COMPUTER:
GO TO DESKTOP->RIGHT CLICK->PRESS NEW SHORTCUT-> AND THEN PASTE THE COMMAND,
%windir%\system32\rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

then right click on the file created and click Properties
go to shortcut key, click on this line and press any key(e.g. F3) as the key to automatically lock out computer when pressed

All you need to do is press the windows icon and L on the keyboard and the screen goes to log in on computer and you will not lose your note or anything. When you go back in the room, password,enter and you go directly to your note inside amazing charts, exactly doing what you were previously in the middle of. This is a windows function