As a Masters level nursing student I have had the opportunity to do clinical rotation in variety of settings. All of these offices operate in a different way, having a different patient flow and each using a different charting system. Three of the locations were completely electronic, while one was entirely paper charting and the last was making the transition from paper to electronic. Overall, I must say that I am much more comfortable and competent when it comes to electronic charting. The providers that I have worked with feel that my generation does better with computers because they have been a part of our life since childhood, and after witnessing several frustrating experiences for my preceptors, I would have to agree. Below is a list of pros and cons that I have found related to both electronic charting and paper charting:
Electronic Charting
Pros:
All patient information in one file
Individual documents labeling for easy searching
More than one person can be using the chart at a time
Having the ability to directly fax from the EMR system
More time with the computer than with the patient
Linked patient portal systems where patients can review labs, reports, ect.
Ability to access charts from offsite location
Provider can dictate or build notes in the system
Cons:
Older providers who do not do well with the electronic system
Computer glitches, freezing, malfunction
Repetitive information in chart
Paper Charting
Pros:
Decreased cost and maintenance
Any provider can come in and not have to learn a new electronic system
Spending more time with patient than chart
Cons:
Risk of losing documents
Difficulty reading multiple handwritings
Only one person can access chart at a time
Multiple charts for one patient are often made/needed
All documents will eventually have to be converted to an electronic format
Though both types of charting have multiple pros and cons, I feel that the change to electronic charting will be beneficial for all parties involved in the healthcare field. There will be the expected “bugs” and adjustments that must be made, but this is all part of the transition.
Electronic Charting
Pros:
All patient information in one file
Individual documents labeling for easy searching
More than one person can be using the chart at a time
Having the ability to directly fax from the EMR system
More time with the computer than with the patient
Linked patient portal systems where patients can review labs, reports, ect.
Ability to access charts from offsite location
Provider can dictate or build notes in the system
Cons:
Older providers who do not do well with the electronic system
Computer glitches, freezing, malfunction
Repetitive information in chart
Paper Charting
Pros:
Decreased cost and maintenance
Any provider can come in and not have to learn a new electronic system
Spending more time with patient than chart
Cons:
Risk of losing documents
Difficulty reading multiple handwritings
Only one person can access chart at a time
Multiple charts for one patient are often made/needed
All documents will eventually have to be converted to an electronic format
Though both types of charting have multiple pros and cons, I feel that the change to electronic charting will be beneficial for all parties involved in the healthcare field. There will be the expected “bugs” and adjustments that must be made, but this is all part of the transition.