Triptychon: Usability evaluation and implementation of a web-based application for patients' lab and vital parameters

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Clinical Data Visualization

Background:

• Interpreting vast amounts of inpatient clinical data is a significant healthcare challenge.
• Accurate structuring and representation of diverse data sources are crucial for informed clinical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the usability of the Triptychon visualization dashboard for presenting essential patient medical data.
• To assess the tool's effectiveness in providing an overview of hospitalization information, laboratory results, and vital parameters over time.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach with 20 participants, including interviews and usability questionnaires (Health-ITUES, UEQ).
• Direct observation of participant interactions with the dashboard.
• Thematic analysis for qualitative data and task completion rates for quantitative data.

Main Results:

• Usability issues identified in user interface terminology and color coding.
• Health Information Technology Usability Evaluation Scale (Health-ITUES) score: 3.72 (SD=1.0).
• User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) score: 1.6 (SD=0.74), indicating room for improvement but also demonstrating enhanced intuitive use and daily satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• The Triptychon dashboard shows potential for medical data presentation.
• Design and layout adjustments are recommended for improved usability in clinical practice.
• Users found the three-panel design effective for a holistic view of patient hospital stays.