Innovation and Technology: Electronic Intensive Care Unit Diaries

Area of Science:

• Healthcare technology
• Patient and family support
• Critical care medicine

Background:

• Intensive care unit (ICU) stays are stressful for patients and families.
• Family members struggle to process complex medical information.
• ICU diaries facilitate information synthesis and maintain connections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the development of an electronic ICU diary.
• To accelerate the development process using rapid prototyping.
• To assess the feasibility, utility, and desirability of electronic ICU diaries.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a rapid prototyping model for accelerated development.
• Focused on creating an electronic version of traditional ICU diaries.
• Conducted initial design testing of the electronic diary.

Main Results:

• The development of an electronic ICU diary was explored.
• Rapid prototyping facilitated an accelerated development process.
• Initial testing indicated the electronic diary is feasible, useful, and desirable.

Conclusions:

• Electronic ICU diaries offer a promising tool for patient and family support.
• Implementation is recommended for patients at risk of post-intensive care syndrome.
• This technology can improve communication and coping during critical illness.