User experience study to evaluate a clinical decision support system prototype supporting continuous kidney...

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Clinical Decision Support Systems
• Intensive Care Unit Management

Background:

• Intensive care units (ICUs) face challenges managing large data volumes, especially with data-intensive therapies like Continuous Kidney Replacement Therapy (CKRT).
• A novel clinical decision support system, the CKRT Supporting Software Prototype (CKRT-SSP), was developed to aid clinicians before, during, and after CKRT.
• A user experience (UX) study was conducted to evaluate CKRT-SSP's usability, user experience, and workload in a simulated ICU environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate the usability and user experience of the CKRT Supporting Software Prototype (CKRT-SSP).
• To assess the impact of CKRT-SSP on clinician workload in a simulated intensive care unit (ICU) setting.
• To gather insights for user-centered development of clinical decision support tools for CKRT.

Main Methods:

• CKRT treatments were simulated in a fully equipped ICU room.
• Validated questionnaires, including the System Usability Scale (SUS) and User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ), were used for evaluation.
• A modified NASA-TLX (task load index) assessed workload changes before and after CKRT-SSP use, with twelve clinicians and nurses participating.

Main Results:

• CKRT-SSP achieved an excellent median SUS score of 87.5, indicating high usability.
• The UEQ showed positive scores for attractiveness, clarity, efficiency, and dependability, with positive trends in stimulation and novelty.
• The modified NASA-TLX indicated a trend towards reduced overall workload, particularly in physical demand and effort.

Conclusions:

• CKRT-SSP demonstrates potential as a valuable tool for optimizing workload in ICUs, specifically for Continuous Kidney Replacement Therapy (CKRT) management.
• The study provides crucial user feedback for the ongoing, user-centric development of CKRT-SSP.
• CKRT-SSP shows promise in enhancing clinical workflow and decision-making in critical care settings.