Computerisation and decision making in neonatal intensive care: a cognitive engineering investigation

This paper reports results from a cognitive engineering study that looked at the role of computerised monitoring in neonatal intensive care. A range of methodologies was used: interviews with neonatal staff, ward observations, and experimental techniques. The purpose was to investigate the sources of information used by clinicians when making decisions in the neonatal ICU. It was found that, although it was welcomed by staff, computerised monitoring played a secondary role in the clinicians' decision making (especially for junior and nursing staff) and that staff used the computer less often than indicated by self-reports. Factors that seemed to affect staff use of the computer were the lack (or shortage) of training on the system, the specific clinical conditions involved, and the availability of alternative sources of information. These findings have relevant repercussions for the design of computerised decision support in intensive care and suggest ways in which computerised monitoring can be enhanced, namely: by systematic staff training, by making available online certain types of clinical information, by adapting the user interface, and by developing intelligent algorithms.

INFORM: European survey of computers in intensive care units

The aims of this study were (a) to survey and evaluate the impact of information technology applications in High Dependency Environments (HDEs) on organizational, psychological and cost-effectiveness factors, (b) to contribute information and design requirements to the other workpackages in the INFORM Project, and (c) to develop useful evaluation methodologies. The evaluation methodologies used were: questionnaires, case studies, objective findings (keystroke) and literature search and review. Six questionnaires were devised covering organizational impact, cost-benefit impact and perceived advantages and disadvantages of computerized systems in HDE (psychological impact). The general conclusion was that while existing systems have been generally well received, they are not yet designed in such a developed and integrated way as to yield their full potential. Greater user involvement in design and implementation and more emphasis on training emerged as strong requirements. Lack of reliability leading to parallel charting was a major problem with the existing systems. It proved difficult to assess cost effectiveness due to a lack of detailed accounting costs; however, it appeared that in the short term, computerisation in HDEs tended to increase costs. It is felt that through a better stock control and better decision making, costs may be reduced in the longer run and effectiveness increased; more detailed longitudinal studies appear to be needed on this subject.

INFORM: development of information management and decision support systems for High Dependency Environments

The long-term aim in the INFORM Project is to develop, evaluate and implement a new generation of Information Systems for hospital High Dependency Environments (HDE-Intensive Care Units, Neonatal Units, Burns Units. Operating and Recovery Rooms, and other specialised areas). The distinguishing feature of the HDE is the very large amount of data that is collected through monitors and paper records about the state of critically ill patients; this has made the role of the staff a technical one in addition to a caring one. The INFORM System will integrate Decision Support with on-line, off-line and observed patient data and, in addition, will incorporate and integrate unit management features. In the Exploratory Phase of the Project, functional requirements have been set out. These are based on four components: conceptual model of the HDE; evaluation of existing HDE Information Systems; development of a novel software architecture using a Knowledge-Based Systems (KBS) methodology, and based on a critical review of KBS applied to the HDE: monitoring of appropriate leading-edge technological developments. The conceptual model has two components: a patient-related information model, and a department-related cost model. The patient-related model is identifying key and difficult areas of decision making. A key aspect of INFORM is integration of clinical Decision Support for these areas into the Information System through a layered software architecture. The lower layers are concerned with monitoring and alarming and the higher levels with patient assessment and therapy planning. The functionality and interconnection of these layers are being determined.