I use attributes a lot to guide the nurse through the documentation. After I took this job, I quickly found out that many nurses had the mentality of "if the cursor lands on it, I'm supposed to answer it", even though we had a policy that stated blank spaces were acceptable when appropriate. I use attributes to skip queries, default responses, and total numbers to not only speed up the documentation but prevent them from entering incorrect information. I also have a few attributes (very few) that actually slow the user down, but they are used to prevent the user from making a mistake. Once nurses use Meditech for documentation, they tend to enter responses very quickly and sometimes their fingers are ahead of their brains. An attribute that states "Are you sure?" that they must respond "yes" or "no" to are intentionally designed to make them stop and think about what they entered.
Kim Frick, RN Project Coordinator Licking Memorial Health Systems Phone: 740-348-4114 Fax: 740-348-4769 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.LMHealth.org -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Davis Daniel - Southern Hills Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 11:02 AM To: Lovelace, Chuck; Susan Graham; [email protected] Subject: Re: [MEDITECH-L] NUR Assessment documentation and use of Attributes It is probably no surprise to most on this list that we use attributes extensively at my facility. The whole purpose of attributes is to allow you to finish out your system to the exact specifications of your facility. So, they are not something that should be used just because you can. As in any system design, you will want to evaluate where things need to happen and where they don't. Your purpose in using attributes is to make the system work better, smarter, etc for the end users and patient care. Pop up information boxes should be used when they make sense. Defaulting information in should only be done where it makes sense. Skipping queries should only be done where that makes sense. I would disagree with my friend Chuck on one point. Attributes to not allow you MAKE Meditech do what it should have been able to do in the first place. Meditech built into their product the capability to write specific attribute types and call macros. So, Meditech built their product standardized to a specific point, and then provided spaces to add your own "third party programming" (which they should not have to try and support) that allows you to tailor the end product for your facility. As you add that code you can certainly do things in there that can break things that Meditech has working correctly, so you must be careful how you write that code. That is why I am glad that while there are multiple ways to write some attributes, many folks now share their attributes on the "L" in a more standard format that requires less editing - less chance for the newbie to mess up. Daniel Davis _____ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lovelace, Chuck Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 9:35 AM To: Susan Graham; [email protected] Subject: Re: [MEDITECH-L] NUR Assessment documentation and use of Attribut es If I removed my attributes from all my nursing documentation screens I would have a staff mutiny on my hands and fear for my life :-) Attributes allow you to make Meditech do what it should have been able to do in the first place. The only problem with using attributes that Meditech does not support, (about 80% of mine) is when they change the code for a new ring release, you have to figure out how to rewrite the attribute to use the new code, and they will not help you. Chuck Lovelace, RN, Clinical Analyst Door County Memorial Hospital Information Systems 323 South 18th Avenue Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 Office 920-746-3608 Fax 920-743-6204 Email - [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____ From: Susan Graham [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, July 20, 2007 10:57 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [MEDITECH-L] NUR Assessment documentation and use of Attributes Hello L List NUR users, We are a MAGIC site in the process of implementing NUR for the first time. We are utilizing several attributes ( skip queries, pop-up boxes, etc.) on our admission and shift assessments in the hopes that they will save clinicians time. We are looking for validation as to the use of attributes, insight into the pros and cons because we are hearing that while they can be a time saver, they can slow staff down as well. Thanks in advance for sharing any of your real-world attribute experiences (pro and con)with us. Our plan includes the use of the Iatric VFS too. Sue Graham Clinical Analyst Southcoast Health System 508-910-3843 CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and may contain health information protected by law. Any unauthorized use or disclosure is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender by return email, delete this email, and destroy any copies. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this e-mail are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Southcoast. The recipient should check this e-mail and any attachments for the presence of viruses. Southcoast accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this e-mail.
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