Going high tech

Having learned to use a computer many years ago, back when they had the huge floppy disks and you needed to know how to use code, I think technology has come a LONG way.  I've tried to keep learning and moving forward with the technology.

So, they've come out with a great software program that allows you to do all your charting with home birth clients online.  You could potentially go paperless but I'm not sure I can ever make myself throw the paper completely away.  But I did look into the idea and decided to take the plunge.  Some of the advantages are that you can bundle all of a patient's chart together in one pdf file and email it to someone who might need to be on call for you.  Each client also gets a unique link to their own files so they can view and copy their own charts also.  The program is called Private Practice for midwives.

I purchased an IPad to use because it's size makes it easy to take along to births and I can go online and chart on the fly at a birth.  The problem is, we midwives are unique in our labor charts.  Everyone has one they have developed over time and are used to using.  Even though I have added on to mine over the years and modified it, I'm used to it and really like it.  The PP program didn't include a form to use for labor charting, so I had to figure out a way to make my pdf file usable for charting online.

Enter the app store!  I found an app called PDF Expert.  It was not expensive (was it free, can't remember!) but it allows me to upload all the pdf forms from my main computer and annotate them as I need to.  You can either type into the form or you can just write on the screen with your finger.  You can use different colors so that your notes stand out too.  It is the perfect solution!

So, now I can do all my prenatal notes, upload scans of labs, add SOAP notes, chart at a labor, use my own postpartum sheets, etc.   All from my little portable IPad.

Yes, I do love technology.