Human factors/usability barriers to home medical devices among individuals with disabling conditions: in-depth interviews with positive airway pressure device users

Health System Factors Affecting the Experience of Non-Invasive Ventilation Provision of People with Neuromuscular Disorders in New Zealand

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is a critical therapy for many patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMD), supporting those with respiratory failure to achieve adequate respiration and improve their quality of life. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of access to, consent, uptake, maintenance and safe use of non-invasive ventilation by people with NMD. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 11 people with NMD, each using NIV for more than 12 months. A critical realism ontological paradigm with contextualism epistemology guided the Reflexive Thematic Analysis. An Equity of Health Care Framework underpinned the analysis. Three themes were interpreted: Uptake and informed consent for NIV therapy; Practicalities of NIV; and Patient-clinician relationships. We identified issues at the system, organization and health professional levels. Conclusions: We recommend the development of national service specifications with clear standards and dedicated funding for patients with NMD and call on the New Zealand Ministry of Health to proactively investigate and monitor the variations in service delivery identified. The specific areas of concern for patients with NMD suggest the need for NMD-related NIV research and service provision responsive to the distinct needs of this population.

Usability challenges in the use of medical devices in the home environment: A systematic review of literature

BACKGROUND

Home care medical devices are the fastest-growing segment of the medical device industry with associated safety and usability challenges. Human factor studies in the home environment present many difficulties resulting in limited knowledge of device use in this setting. This systematic review aims to identify usability challenges reported directly by end-users in the home environment.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was conducted concentrating on studies involving end user reporting. Reported challenges were grouped into a) device-user, b) device use environment and c) device-user interface challenges.

RESULTS

3471 studies were screened and 202 underwent full-text review. Only twelve studies had direct involvement of end users. Multiple challenges were identified, with device-user interface problems being the most common. No effective, standardised method was found to collect patient/user feedback on usability challenges in the post-market stage, leading to a knowledge gap.

CONCLUSIONS

This study brought together multiple usability challenges reported by individual studies. Involvement of medical device end-users in usability studies is essential and their experiences must be effectively utilised in device design.

“The Devices Themselves Aren’t the Problem”—Views of Patients and Their Relatives on Medical Technical Aid Supply in Home Mechanical Ventilation: An Explorative Qualitative Study

(1) The supply of medical technical aids and the instructions on using them is critical for home-mechanically ventilated patients and their relatives. However, limited evidence exists on the needs-based nature of this care. (2) Aim: To gain insights into users’ views on this form of care, to identify key challenges, and to derive empirically sound preliminary recommendations for its future design. (3) Methods: An explorative qualitative interview study was performed in Germany. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with home-mechanically ventilated patients and their relatives. Patients were selected through purposive sampling. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using a content analysis approach. (3) Results: 27 patients and 9 relatives were interviewed. From their point of view, ventilation-specific equipment is generally reliable and is seen as a belonging of the patient. However, if the patient lacks competence in using the technology or if information or instructions are neglected, ambiguous and unsafe situations easily arise. (4) Conclusions: The present study is one of the first to provide insights into technical aid supply in home-mechanical ventilation from the users’ point of view. It highlights the need for continuous professional support and for evidence-based educational strategies that promote safety among the users of technical aids in home care.

The use of non-invasive ventilation in an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a case study

This article aims to assist nurses and other health professionals to care for patients who have type 2 respiratory failure as a result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and who require non-invasive ventilation. It outlines findings of a case study that are commonplace in the acute medical setting and aims to highlight important factors that impact on patient care and patient outcome, and to help nursing staff to implement recommended and best practices.

Understanding adherence to assistive devices among older adults: a conceptual review

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify and examine how existing literature has conceptualized adherence to assistive devices (ADs) among older adults. Methods: English articles were searched in MEDLINE, PubMed, and CINAHL (January 1990 to October 2017) for the key words "acceptance", "adherence", "assistive devices", "compliance", "concept," and relevant synonyms. Bibliographies of selected articles were also examined. Articles were analyzed if the following conditions were met conjointly: (1) attempted to define or conceptualize adherence to some degree; (2) were concerned with any AD for older adults; (3) were concerned with adults aged 65 years or older. Results: Sixteen of the 484 articles were included. Adherence to ADs among older adults seemed to be conceptualized under three core themes: psychological, contextual, and functional factors; each with their own unique considerations related to adherence that are analyzed in this study. Conclusion: This review identified a large gap in knowledge about adherence to ADs. Adherence is multi-factorial and highly specific to the individual's circumstances and their relationship with their health care practitioner. Further empirical research should focus on how the three core themes of adherence interact with and influence each other. Implications for rehabilitation Health care professionals who assess for, and recommend ADs should foster a shared decision-making relationship with their clients This review identifies some of the key themes that practitioners should consider when developing and implementing AD regimens with older adults Conceptualizing AD adherence among older adults will help improve monitoring of and quality of care for AD users.

The use of advanced medical technologies at home: a systematic review of the literature

Background

The number of medical technologies used in home settings has increased substantially over the last 10–15 years. In order to manage their use and to guarantee quality and safety, data on usage trends and practical experiences are important. This paper presents a literature review on types, trends and experiences with the use of advanced medical technologies at home.

Methods

The study focused on advanced medical technologies that are part of the technical nursing process and ‘hands on’ processes by nurses, excluding information technology such as domotica. The systematic review of literature was performed by searching the databases MEDLINE, Scopus and Cinahl. We included papers from 2000 to 2015 and selected articles containing empirical material.

Results

The review identified 87 relevant articles, 62% was published in the period 2011–2015. Of the included studies, 45% considered devices for respiratory support, 39% devices for dialysis and 29% devices for oxygen therapy. Most research has been conducted on the topic ‘user experiences’ (36%), mainly regarding patients or informal caregivers. Results show that nurses have a key role in supporting patients and family caregivers in the process of homecare with advanced medical technologies and in providing information for, and as a member of multi-disciplinary teams. However, relatively low numbers of articles were found studying nurses perspective.

Conclusions

Research on medical technologies used at home has increased considerably until 2015. Much is already known on topics, such as user experiences; safety, risks, incidents and complications; and design and technological development. We also identified a lack of research exploring the views of nurses with regard to medical technologies for homecare, such as user experiences of nurses with different technologies, training, instruction and education of nurses and human factors by nurses in risk management and patient safety.

Human Factors and Simulation in Emergency Medicine

This consensus group from the 2017 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference "Catalyzing System Change through Health Care Simulation: Systems, Competency, and Outcomes" held in Orlando, Florida, on May 16, 2017, focused on the use of human factors (HF) and simulation in the field of emergency medicine (EM). The HF discipline is often underutilized within EM but has significant potential in improving the interface between technologies and individuals in the field. The discussion explored the domain of HF, its benefits in medicine, how simulation can be a catalyst for HF work in EM, and how EM can collaborate with HF professionals to effect change. Implementing HF in EM through health care simulation will require a demonstration of clinical and safety outcomes, advocacy to stakeholders and administrators, and establishment of structured collaborations between HF professionals and EM, such as in this breakout group.

Patient-Reported Usability of Positive Airway Pressure Equipment Is Associated With Adherence in Older Adults

Study objectives

To examine the usability of positive airway pressure (PAP) devices and its association with PAP adherence among older adults with sleep-disordered breathing.

Methods

We mailed questionnaires to patients aged ≥65 years prescribed PAP therapy during the prior 36 months from two large healthcare systems. Survey participants completed the Usability of Sleep Apnea Equipment-Positive Airway Pressure (USE-PAP) questionnaire, which assessed the usability of their PAP device. Other questionnaire items included demographics and self-rated health. We also abstracted adherence data (mean nightly hours of PAP use available from one site) and interface type from the electronic health record.

Results

Five hundred sixty-four patients completed the survey (response rate = 33%). The mean USE-PAP score (0 = best to 100 = worst) was 20 (SD ± 20). Mean duration of PAP use (available in 189 respondents) was 5.2 hours per night (SD ± 2.0). In a nested regression model predicting nightly hours of PAP use, a 10-point (0.5 SD) increase in USE-PAP score corresponded to a 0.37 hour/night reduction in PAP use. The model including the USE-PAP score explained a significant proportion (R2 = 15%) of the variation in nightly hours of PAP use above and beyond demographics, self-reported health, and interface type (∆R2 = 12%).

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that PAP usability varies among older patients and is associated with PAP adherence, above and beyond other predictors of adherence. These results support measuring and improving PAP usability to further improve PAP adherence for older patients.

Blood Pressure Monitor Usability Problems Detected Through Human Factors Evaluation

Blood pressure monitors are one of the most commonly used medical devices in the home environment. They are abundantly available and easily accessible in the consumer market at reasonable prices. However, it is not clear to what extent these devices comply with the needs and expectations of users with varying levels of capability. This article focuses on the usability aspect of blood pressure monitors from a universal design perspective. I present the results of a study in which three brands of blood pressure monitors were examined through a method that combines hierarchical task analysis and heuristic evaluation.

Experiences of noninvasive ventilation in adults with hypercapnic respiratory failure: a review of evidence

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been shown to be beneficial for patients with respiratory failure; however, many patients fail to tolerate it and require other interventions. The objective of this thematic synthesis was to describe the nature of NIV experiences in adults with hypercapnic respiratory failure. A systematic, computerised literature search of English-language databases was undertaken with no restriction on date of publication. A total of 99 papers was identified and screened for eligibility from databases including CINAHL, Medline and PsycINFO, and some were hand searched. 45 papers were critically appraised and 32 met our inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis identified six key themes: benefits of NIV; fear (of various categories, namely, fear of technology/mask, fear of death and dying, and fear of pain and suffering); adaptation to NIV machine; decision making; need for information; and relationship with healthcare professionals. For people using NIV treatment, the experience of being on the NIV machine is unexpected and can be stressful. Findings from this review offer healthcare professionals insights and understanding into the patient experience of NIV. Healthcare professionals may use these findings to implement new strategies in NIV provision and the exploration of the applicability of age-specific supportive care NIV guidelines.

Older Adults and Management of Medical Devices in the Home: Five Requirements for Appropriate Use

Medical devices, or instruments or tools to manage disease, are increasingly used in the home, yet there have been limited evaluations of how older adults and caregivers safely use these devices. This study concerns a qualitative evaluation of (1) barriers and facilitators of appropriate use, and (2) outcomes of inappropriate use, among older adults at the transition from hospital to home with skilled home health care (SHHC). Guided by a human factors engineering work system model, the authors (1) conducted direct observations with contextual inquiry of the start-of-care or resumption-of-care SHHC provider visit, and (2) semi-structured interviews with 24 older adults and their informal caregivers, and 39 SHHC providers and administrators. Five requirements for the appropriate use of home medical devices were identified. A systems approach integrating the hospital with the SHHC agency is needed to make the use of home medical devices safer.

Development of the Usability of Sleep Apnea Equipment-Positive Airway Pressure (USE-PAP) questionnaire

BACKGROUND

A growing number of positive airway pressure (PAP) device users will develop physical/sensory impairments such as arthritis. For these individuals, the usability of their PAP devices (e.g., efficiency and satisfaction) may impact the frequency and safety of device usage. Questionnaires to assess PAP usability are unavailable; therefore, we developed the Usability of Sleep Apnea Equipment-Positive Airway Pressure (USE-PAP) questionnaire.

METHODS

Questionnaire development included in-depth interviews to identify relevant content areas, a technical advisory panel to review/edit items, cognitive interviews to refine items, and a cross-sectional survey of Veterans Affairs sleep clinic patients assessing PAP device usability overall (one multi-item scale), usability of PAP components (multi-item scales for machine controls, mask/headgear, tubing, and humidifier), frequency of usability-related issues (one multi-item scale), PAP device characteristics, and demographics.

RESULTS

After conducting 19 in-depth interviews, a panel meeting, and 10 cognitive interviews, we administered the survey to 100 PAP device users (67% ≥60 years; 90% male). The items assessing machine control usability received the least favorable ratings. Twenty percent of respondents reported difficulty getting equipment ready for use, and 33 percent had difficulty cleaning equipment. The six multi-item scales had excellent internal consistency reliability (alpha ≥0.84) and item-rest correlations (≥0.39).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides initial support for the USE-PAP for measuring PAP device usability. Studies that include large samples are needed to further evaluate the psychometric properties of the USE-PAP. In addition, comparisons of USE-PAP responses with direct observations of PAP-related tasks and objectively measured PAP adherence are needed to fully evaluate the questionnaire.