Implementation pilot of a novel electronic bedside nursing chart: a mixed-methods case study
Kasia Bail
A , Rachel Davey B , Marian Currie A , Jo Gibson C , Eamon Merrick A and Bernice Redley D E
A Synergy Nursing and Midwifery Research Centre and Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia. Email: kasia.bail@canberra.edu.au; marian.currie@canberra.edu.au; eamon.merrick@canberra.edu.au
B Centre for Research and Action in Public Health, Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia. Email: rachel.davey@canberra.edu.au
C Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia. Email: jo.gibson@canberra.edu.au
D Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research – Monash Health Partnership, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: bernice.redley@deakin.edu.au
Australian Health Review 44(5) 672-676 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH18231
Submitted: 12 March 2019 Accepted: 16 December 2019 Published: 16 September 2020
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the implementation of a novel electronic bedside nursing chart in an acute hospital setting. The case study used multiple data sources captured within a real-life clinical ward context. Quantitative findings included significant reductions in nurse-reported missed care (P < 0.05) and increased mean time spent at the bedside (from 21 to 28 min h−1; P < 0.0001); reductions in patient-reported missed care and nurses’ walking distances were not significant. Qualitative themes included: (1) inconsistent expectations (perceptions about potential vs actual functionality and benefits of the technology); (2) decisional conflict between managers and end-user nurses (discordance between governance decisions and clinical operations; 30% of beds were closed and six of the eight trained nurse ‘super-users’ were moved from the pilot ward); and (3) workflow effects (ergonomic set-up of the digital interface). This study highlights the complex challenges of implementing and examining the effects of technology to support nursing care. Shared understanding of the technology goals and project scope in relation to nursing care and flexible and adaptive project and contingency planning are fundamental considerations. Complexity, unpredictability and uncertainty of ‘usual business’ are common confounders in acute hospital settings.
What is known about the topic? Although much has been written about the implementation of electronic records into hospital systems, there is little research evaluating the effect of information technology systems that support the complex clinical decision making and documentation required to meet nurse and patient needs at the point of care.
What does this paper add? This study highlights the potential to reduce missed care through better nursing workflow. Contributing factors to low nurse adoption of new technology have been identified, including inconsistent expectations and goals for the design of systems to support quality nursing care, incongruous decision making in design, adaptation and implementation processes and constrained physical workability in relation to nursing workflow.
What are the implications for practitioners? The design of information systems to support nursing work requires a shared understanding of ‘good practice’ for high-quality nursing care that is consistent with theories of nursing practice, best evidence and professional practice standards. Recognition of effective and ineffective sociotechnical interactions that occur during complex nursing processes can help avoid ‘disruption without benefit’ and ‘amplification of errors already in the system’ during acute care technology implementation. Ongoing dynamic input from individuals and groups with different expertise and perspectives, as well as iterative, generative processes for moving towards a shared goal, are critical for effective and efficient implementation.
Additional keywords: eHealth, health services research, hospitals, information management, performance and evaluation.
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