Paperwork distracts from patient care

Hospital nurses devote 25% of each 12-hour shift to indirect patient care — and much of that time is spent on documentation.
Jackson Healthcare, a Georgia-based healthcare staffing company, surveyed over 1600 nurses in the fall of 2009.  Survey participants said redundant documentation, completing logs and checklists, entering and reviewing orders, and regulatory documentation take time away from direct patient care.  Walking to and from supply locations was cited as another common indirect care activity.

Bob Schlotman, Jackson Healthcare CEO, is hopeful that technology will soon eliminate some of the documentation redundancies while streamlining workflow.