Implementation and sustainability of an innovative ICU e-diary

To characterise e-diary implementation exploring ICU staff uptake, family member engagement, perceived barriers/facilitators and perceived acceptability/feasibility and sustained use over time.

Service innovation and evaluation study of an e-diary (aTouchAway™, Aetonix, Canada) for patients with ≥ 2 days anticipated ICU stay. We implemented (Jan2022-Aug2022) in four ICUs (52 beds) across two UK hospitals. We conducted a one-day pre-implementation paper-diary snapshot audit. Implementation strategies included a dedicated implementation officer, repeated education, dedicated resources, completion reminders, live demonstrations, and e-diary completion prizes. We collected data on commencement rates, barriers/facilitators, and feasibility/acceptability using Acceptability and Feasibility of Intervention Measure (AIM/FIM) questionnaires. To assess sustained use, we completed three one-day audits (June2023), with subsequent monthly audits (Dec2023-Dec2024).

Pre-implementation, 7/35 (20%) patients had a paper diary. During the implementation phase the monthly mean (SD) e-diary commencement rate was 65% (23%) with 380 patients having 1242 diary entries (nurses 807; therapists (physio/occupational/speech) 146; family members 289). We received 35/110 staff questionnaires (response rate 32%). Most perceived the e-diary easy to access (74%) and use (63%). Similar proportions perceived it less (20%) or more (26%) time consuming than paper diaries. Facilitators included reduced environmental impact, negligible loss, family participation, guaranteed legibility, data security, and easy accessibility. Barriers comprised need for login and education; difficulty for less technologically-competent families; and inability to personalise with pictures. Mean (SD) AIM and FIM scores were 16.6 (1.67) and 16.0 (1.9). In the sustainability phase, our snapshot audit (June2023) found a commencement rate of 63%, with a mean (SD) monthly commencement rate of 45.6% (16.7%).

We developed a bespoke e-diary with moderate yet sustained implementation success. We identified facilitators to be harnessed by other centres considering e-diary implementation. Although some barriers are non-modifiable, strategies can support family members to engage.

For centres considering e-diary adoption, they appear an acceptable alternative with facilitators that can be harnessed to promote adoption but barriers that need consideration.