Had a great shift

So yesterday evening, we went LIVE with our new computer system. All the hospitals will eventually be connected. The system is EPIC and we call our end HEALTH CONNECT.

The powers that be have sent us to classes (basically worthless) . Outside of the basics, we got a lot of 'well you can click here for vital signs, but you won't use that, or click here for neuro, but you won't use that' we came out very frustrated. Then for the 2 weeks prior to go live yesterday, we got to 'play in the sandbox' there were computer people all over the place and the crew would take turns 'pooping in the sandbox' this was way more effective than the classes, as it was geared for us.

As background we do some computerized charting thru triage and the docs use the computer for d/c and h & p's, etc. The new system is a monster tho. Completely paperless. except codes.

The stress level was way high, so for the few days before going live, i decided to work on the stress level instead. I had a pool party for my shift people, continued everyday telling people not to worry. we had extra people and a few nurses that are considered experts.

I'm not really a ZEN person, but right before the shift, we decided that my peeps are going to kick some serious ass, and had a little huddle in the break room.

We walked out to the nurse's station to a cluster fuck of crazy. The day shift was running around telling us how horrible it was. they were rooming pts too fast. every time a room emptied and before the nurse had a chance to breathe the charge nurse was putting more people in.

Well im the charge on my shift. I told her stop rooming people, now, unless someone is truly sick. I was watching the circus and decided to change the way i did the assignments. Instead of 4 pts for each rn, i eliminated the float position and gave all the nurses 2 pts each. Then called another 'huddle' to remind them if they get stuck to just put up a hand and one of the experts will be there.

It worked beautiful, it took about an hour to calm everyone down. Then we had the smoothest go live. The pt load was good, as for breaks, the nurses tag teamed, and took care of someone elses other 2 and vice versa. My crew was helpful to each other. AND pt care didn't suffer. We were complimented by the computer experts that were there and told it was the smoothest turn around they have had in 12 go lives.

So anyway, be good to your crew. be supporting, i played music and brought chocolate.

rude nurse???? not today.