Portability recommendations?

mark.domineseymark.dominesey
in CDI Talk Archive
Hello all,

With our impending move to a replacement hospital, my department would like to explore how we can make our program more portable as we move through the hospital reviewing charts.

With that in mind, I was wondering what others do? Currently, we have to find an open computer with desk space so we may be able to access the EHR and review the paper chart.

What we would like to do is to have a laptop or tablet and only require a desk on the units as computers can be hard to come by. To expand this a little further, do others use a WOW or another portable workstation? How do others print the queries to place in the paper chart? Do others use a WOW and use that as their desk space and carry their printer on it as well? If so, do you carry some sort of chair?

Any ideas or suggestion would be most appreciated.

Thanks and Kindest Regards,

Mark


_______________________________________
Mark Dominesey, RN/BSN, MBA
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
Martha Jefferson Hospital
Health Information Management Systems
mark.dominesey@mjh.org





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Comments

  • Unknown
    edited May 2016
    I have a laptop on an A-V cart (not ergonomically correct). I find a corner with a plug, grab a chair and start reviewing. The cart works well as I can carry my books with me and have a "home".

    There are other ergonomically correct carts available.

    Charlene


  • vivian.gannonvivian.gannon
    edited May 2016
    We use laptops and have 'carry-on' style bag on wheels to carry our books, etc. We simply find a chair and some open desk space to set up and review charts and EMR; occasionally we will work standing if only counter space is available.

    Vivian

  • dbutlerdbutler
    edited May 2016
    There is an old thread (a year or more) that discussed using computer on wheels carts, and provided some specific feedback on models being used. There was also an old poll question on the topic.

    We have used laptops since inception (hospital is wireless), works well.

    Carts can be set up with battery back up and printers also.

    Don't have time to pull out right now (off to a meeting about my budget).

    Don


  • Unknown
    edited May 2016
    I do have my own laptop computer with the 3M program on it, which works
    well. I then can sit anywhere there is an available spot. It works
    great.



    Patti Stewart RN, BSN, Clinical Documentation Specialist




  • ggoodman@virginiahospitalcenter.comggoodman@virginiahospitalcenter.com
    edited May 2016
    We have several computers available on the floors to use. However, sometimes a free one is hard to come by. We do have laptops and have thought about taking them to the floors with us, however, there would be no desk space to even put them on. We briefly considered getting a cart but that seems like it might be more of a hassle than its worth. So for now at least we will continue crossing our fingers and hoping to find a free desk top on the floor!

    Greta


  • david.smithdavid.smith
    edited May 2016
    We use laptops loaded with 3M encoder suite and networked into the Unit
    printers. In PA, our MA just went to APR-DRGs so now we will have access
    to the APR-DRG grouper for ROM/SOI which is great. The biggest challenge
    is finding a spot to set up shop, right behind trying to get/keep the
    chart. I have also just requested a long life battery for my laptop so I
    don't have to drag the AC power source around with me. It would be nice
    to go from a little over two hours to around 8 hours! It is recommended
    for the "Corridor Warrior" and I think we fit that bill!

    I think in the past they tried the COWs, but personally I couldn't be
    bothered pushing a cart around the hospital. I think I would rather
    stand at a counter. Until we go electronic, I think the laptop option is
    the best choice for portability and mobility on the units. I guess if
    you were lucky enough to be in hospital that afford to give you a
    dedicated work area and computer on each unit, that would be the
    best.....but the commute to fantasyland is a killer J




  • digardskdigardsk
    edited May 2016
    We have laptops on "COWS", work wirelessly, and network to all the printers on the floors. We have purchased a portable printer so we won't have to crawl around as much, but have not used it yet do to problems with attaching it to our carts. Can't comment on how reliable the portable printer might be.


  • ddraizeddraize
    edited May 2016
    I have a laptop with a long life battery and use a COW which also has room for books, it works very well

    Diane Draize RN, CPUR,CCDS
    Clinical Documentation Specialist

    Ministry Door County Medical Center
    diane.draize@ministryhealth.org
    920-743-5566 ex 3143

    We earn trust by working together as One Ministry to keep PATIENTS FIRST in everything we do







  • Unknown
    edited May 2016
    What is the name/brand of your COW?

    Charlene


  • ddraizeddraize
    edited May 2016
    It is actually a Balt adjustable presentation cart it was purchased through staples

    Diane Draize RN, CPUR,CCDS
    Clinical Documentation Specialist

    Ministry Door County Medical Center
    diane.draize@ministryhealth.org
    920-743-5566 ex 3143


  • dbutlerdbutler
    edited May 2016
    Went back into the archives of my email software & have copied and pasted the contents of 2 conversations strings from late in 2008 that might be relevant:

    I went back and found 2 relevant strings that were from late in 2008 --
    Don


  • catladyrncatladyrn
    In the days when I was mobile, I had a COW. (So much for the advice, don't have a cow, dude.) Rather than take a seat away from the nurses and doctors (it was like musical chairs most days), or be forced to stand all day, I bought one of those portable golf chairs that had a curve on the end so the golfers could use it as a cane, and hung it on the end of the COW. I didn't have my own printer but was mapped to all the nursing station printers.

    Renee


    Linda Renee Brown, RN, CCRN, CCDS
    Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist
    Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center
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