Personal health information on display: balancing needs, usability and legislative requirements

Large wall-mounted screens placed at locations where health personnel pass by will assist in self-coordination and improve utilisation of both resources and staff at hospitals. The sensitivity level of the information visible on these screens must be adapted to a close-to-public setting, as passers-by may not have the right or need to know anything about patients being treated. We have conducted six informal interviews with health personnel in order to map what kind of information they use when identifying their patients and their next tasks. We have compared their practice and needs to legislative requirements and conclude that it is difficult, if not impossible, to fulfil all requirements from all parties.