Conserve,
Yep, it's awful. Hospitals are often obsessed with forms, using "the right form," carbons, and other hassles.
But it HAS improved. Most of the hospitals where I've worked (as a student nurse practitioner) use computerized order entries for medications and so forth. Two of the hospitals have employed computerized charting. During my ER rotation, the hospital system where I worked maintained an integrated computer network, eliminating a great deal of paperwork.
One hospital where I worked also maintained digital imaging software so that we could view x-rays and CT scans on computer terminals instead of waiting for the films to be developed.
Medication adminsitration has improved as well. Every hospital where I have worked uses a Pyxis system, which carefully monitors stock drug supplies. Fancier hospitals now use
There has been a lot of discussion about "smartcards," which store patients' medical histories, wide area network information systems, and so forth. But many people are concerned about the privacy of the data, especially if insurers could gain access. So I don't think any of that will happen any time soon.
Changes are happening, but they're slow. If you think that a particular form was unnecessary during any of your visits, SAY SO! Hospitals are becoming more customer service-driven, so they're keen to know about such details. There will still be forms to fill out, but we'll continue to work together to make the paper trail less burdensome.
Take care,
Mars
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