Selection and development of a critical care bedside computer

Area of Science:

• Healthcare technology implementation
• Clinical informatics
• Medical device selection

Background:

• Tertiary medical centers require efficient patient care tools.
• Medical intensive care units (MICUs) face unique technological demands.
• Selecting appropriate bedside computing is crucial for MICU operations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the process of selecting a bedside computer for a tertiary medical center's MICU.
• To describe a collaborative committee structure for technology acquisition.
• To ensure the chosen system enhances nursing efficiency and patient interaction.

Main Methods:

• Formation of joint committees involving medical center staff and vendors.
• Committees focused on selection, configuration, and implementation phases.
• A multidisciplinary approach guided the entire selection process.

Main Results:

• A state-of-the-art bedside computer system was successfully selected.
• The collaborative committee structure fostered a strong partnership.
• The system is designed for ease of use and to optimize nursing workflow.

Conclusions:

• A structured, multidisciplinary approach is effective for selecting complex medical technology.
• Vendor-user collaboration is key to successful implementation of bedside computer systems.
• The new system is expected to improve nursing efficiency and patient care delivery in the MICU.