Development of a computerized paediatric intensive care unit septic shock pathway: improving user experience

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
• Health Informatics
• Clinical Workflow Optimization

Background:

• Intensive care units (ICUs) require efficient, data-driven protocols for critical conditions like septic shock.
• Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are integral to ICU operations but can present usability challenges.
• Improving decision-making at the bedside is crucial for patient outcomes in pediatric critical care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the user experience of a computerized septic shock protocol among Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) clinicians.
• To assess the protocol's integration with existing clinical workflows and the current EHR system.
• To identify user preferences for enhancing the usability of the septic shock protocol.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interviews with PICU clinicians.
• Quantitative pre- and post-implementation surveys assessing opinions on the septic shock protocol and EHR.
• Analysis of user feedback to guide protocol adjustments for improved usability.

Main Results:

• Clinicians generally held unfavorable views of the overall EHR system.
• The computerized septic shock protocol was well-received, achieving a high overall usability score of 82.
• Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) within the protocol was recognized for streamlining processes and improving record completeness.

Conclusions:

• Computerized, condition-specific protocols can significantly enhance clinical decision-making and efficiency in the ICU.
• Despite EHR challenges, a well-designed computerized septic shock protocol demonstrates high usability and positive reception among PICU clinicians.
• User-centered design and integration of features like CPOE are key to successful implementation of critical care protocols.