Improving Clinician Decisions and Communication in Critical Care Using Novel Information Technology

Area of Science:

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

Background:

• Electronic Medical Records (EMR) present challenges in information retrieval and presentation, impacting clinical decision-making.
• Information display design significantly influences clinician performance and judgment.
• Novel Health Information Technology (NHIT) aims to optimize EMR data visualization and communication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the usability and validation of a novel health information technology (NHIT) system designed to interface with EMRs.
• To evaluate how the NHIT impacts clinician efficiency, decision-making accuracy, and user experience.
• To determine if customizable displays and integrated communication features improve clinical workflows.

Main Methods:

• Usability assessment using computer-based simulations with deceased patient data and Likert scale surveys.
• Validation assessment comparing clinical team performance with and without the NHIT in high-fidelity simulated scenarios.
• Data collection included observations, task completion times, interviews, and surveys.

Main Results:

• Clinicians found the NHIT easier to use and interpret data compared to the legacy EMR.
• Teams using NHIT achieved accurate diagnoses and decision points efficiently, even with less experienced members.
• NHIT use improved team communication and information retrieval.

Conclusions:

• The NHIT is user-friendly, requiring minimal training, and does not negatively impact clinician efficiency or decision accuracy.
• These findings contrast with typical user experiences with new EMR systems.
• The NHIT demonstrates potential for improving clinical workflows and patient care through better information presentation and communication.