SHC’s new electronic nursing documentation system goes into service in January.

The system, called the Electronic Multidisciplinary Documentation (EMD) program, eliminates nearly all paper documents in nursing documentation and utilizes barcode medication administration to improve safety and accuracy in patient care.

EMD launches with online nursing admission assessments in the Surgical Admission Unit and the Ambulatory Surgery Center on January 9, announced Kevin Tabb, chief quality and medical information officer.

Then, EMD “goes live” on inpatient pilot units, C2, D1 and D/E Ground, on January 17.

Starting in February, EMD rolls out on two units every two weeks until completely implemented in June. The tentative schedule is:

Feb 13 D2 / D3
Feb 27 B2 / F3
Mar 13 B3 / C1 (CIRU)
Mar 27 C3 / B1
Apr 17 E3 / G2 / H2
May 8 E1 / FGR / Dialysis
June 5 North ICU / E2

As EMD is installed, Stanford physicians and nurses will live in “two worlds” temporarily, Tabb said. Some documentation will continue to be done on paper until the changeover to complete online documentation is completed. Tabb asked for physicians and nurses to "be patient and understanding as EMD is activated. Watch for signs in the nursing units reminding you that 'EMD is here!' and keep in mind that you must access nursing documentation online."

Meanwhile, physicians can log into www.emd-wbt.stanfordhospital.com on the Internet or the SHC Intranet, to learn about or fine tune skills involving Carecast, the software that enables online documentation. Carecast went live on Dec. 5 and training was under way prior to the January launch for unit nurses and others who will use the system to document nursing care.

The Web module covers logging in, managing patient lists, viewing the provider desktop, the clinician order pad, results and reports, placing orders and order sets, and managing orders.

Web-based training will continue indefinitely, Tabb said.