Laptops on trolleys: lessons from a mobile-wireless hospital ward

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Clinical Decision Support

Background:

• Many hospital information systems (HIS) rely on fixed computers, limiting mobile staff access to critical data.
• Wireless networks enable mobile devices, like laptops on trolleys, to deliver HIS data at the point of care, aiding clinical decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To collaboratively design and evolve a laptop trolley solution for point-of-care data access in hospitals.
• To address usability limitations through an iterative design process.

Main Methods:

• Employed a combination of action research and design science methodologies.
• Utilized participant observation and informal discussions for user feedback.
• Iteratively refined the trolley design through three distinct versions based on clinical use.

Main Results:

• The collaborative design process successfully evolved the trolley artifact.
• User feedback from clinical settings was integral to design improvements.
• Demonstrated the effectiveness of iterative action research in addressing specific design objectives.

Conclusions:

• Iterative action research provides a productive framework for designing point-of-care solutions in acute care settings.
• Collaborative design involving end-users is crucial for developing effective HIS mobile solutions.