Nurses' perceptions of the impact of a computerized information system on a critical care unit

Critical care nurses work in complex environments and encounter a vast amount of information daily. To learn how a computerized information system (CIS) impacted nursing practice on a critical care unit, this foundational research was conducted before and after implementation of a CIS. Qualitative methods using interviews and open ended questions were employed. Results showed that nurses felt positive overall about the implementation of a bedside CIS. Nurses liked the readability of the information and having the CIS near the bedside. They disliked the periodic slowness or downtime. Broad themes of reflection, questioning and action emerged from the content analysis. The themes were in accord with the theoretical framework that guided the study. Recommendations for future research included exploring nursing medication documentation, use of hand held devices, and having resource databases within the CIS.