Bringing technology to the bedside: using smartphones to improve interprofessional communication

Area of Science:

• Healthcare technology
• Nursing informatics
• Clinical communication

Background:

• Traditional paging devices often lead to frequent interruptions and communication delays.
• Nurses and physicians reported dissatisfaction with existing communication methods.
• Inefficient communication impacts patient care and workflow.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of bedside smartphone use on interprofessional communication quality.
• To measure response times between nurses and physicians using smartphones versus paging devices.
• To assess the effect on workflow efficiency and patient care.

Main Methods:

• A 2-month study was conducted on a 26-bed medical unit.
• Smartphones were implemented for nurses and physicians.
• Data collected via Nurse-Physician Communication Questionnaires and Time and Motion tools.

Main Results:

• Smartphone implementation significantly reduced patient interruptions (P=.021).
• Nurses were able to stay with patients more often (P=.002).
• Wait times for returned calls decreased significantly (P=.001), with 100% reduction in nurse travel and hold times.

Conclusions:

• Bedside smartphone use enhances interprofessional communication quality and workflow efficiency.
• The technology reduces interruptions and improves response times.
• Further research on patient safety and satisfaction is recommended; adoption by other units is encouraged.