"Charge capture was reduced from a four-step manual process to a single-step computer documentation of the procedure. Computer charting was more complete and informative. Productivity increased 18%, although it remains unclear to what degree the computer was responsible." (Andrews, 1985) In conclusion, the study determined that computer charting streamlined the process of documentation and allowed more beneficial use of clinical information. (Andrews, 1985)

In other words, the study fell in line with the later Cunningham study in that they both noted that computer involvement in various stages of health care provision via computer charting truly benefits the health care provider and the patient. In addition, it streamlines costs and eliminates costly errors.

College health systems benefit especially from computer charting, according to Carol Mulvihill, R.N.,C., CQ Editor and Director of Health Services, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. She notes that there are several advantages of documenting nurses' notes on the computer rather than by hand.

As noted above, first, charts are always legible. (Mulvihill, 1997) Time is saved and errors and avoided by eschewing bad handwriting gaffes. Second, computer charting saves time. Charting can be done more quickly once the technique is learned, and it does not take too long to learn. Saved time can then be reallocated to patient care or administrative duties. (Mulvihill, 1997)

Third, according to Mulvihill, "You can avoid repetition and misspellings. Instead of writing the same protocols and treatment plans over and over again on different charts, frequently used phrases or protocols can be stored in AutoText in Microsoft Word and added to a patient's chart with a few clicks of the mouse or a few keystrokes."

Fourth, there exists consistency in the charted protocols and treatment plans and procedures, but they can still be modified for each individual patient according to his or her needs. (Mulvihill, 1997)

Fifth, computer charting data can be stored more easily and called up more easily. According to Mulvihill, charts can be stored on the computer hard drive or on diskette, and printed out, signed and placed in a file drawer. (Mulvihill, 1997)

With the advent of HIPAA, the privacy benefits of computer charting must be noted as well. "It...

The chart can quickly be put out of sight using File Save and Close if someone walks in or if the phone interrupts you, or by using a Screen Saver. Use of a protection password provides protection of access to files on the hard drive." (Mulvihill, 1997)
Finally, the use of the technology to eliminate burdensome rote tasks can improve job satisfaction in the health care provider environment, thereby leading to lower turnover rates and higher quality patient care.

There are several new computer charting products that have increased productivity and accuracy even further. For instance, the Charting Plus product produced by Medinotes combines the efficiency of computer charting with more detailed patient records along with HIPAA waivers and privacy information. (www.medinotes.com) This type of device, of which Charting Plus is only one, truly speeds up a health care provider's work.

However, the excitement over computer charting is tempered with the knowledge that nurse training quality still has to be strong in order to utilize the computer charting benefits. For instance, a recent study in Critical Care Medicine finds that "Computerized charting will not necessarily provide ICU nurses with a net excess of time for tasks unrelated to manipulating data." (Pierpont, 1995) in other words, the time saved by implementing computer charting methods may just have to be devoted to utilizing the computer programs themselves. Of course, as technology improves, this reliance will dim and the benefits of computer charting will increase even further.

Bibliography

Andrews, RD, et al. 1985. Computer charting: an evaluation of a respiratory care computer system. Respir Care. 1985 Aug;30(8):695-707.

Cunningham, S, et al. 1996. Comparison of nurse and computer charting of physiological variables in an intensive care unit. Int J. Clin Monit Comput. 1996 Nov;13(4):235-41.

Medinotes: 2005. Charting Plus. www.medinotes.com

Mulvihill, Carol. 1997. Advantages of computerized charting in college health. University of Pittsburgh: CQ.

Pierpont, Gordon. 1995. Effect of computerized charting on nursing activity in intensive care. Critical Care Medicine. 23(6):1067-1073,…