A comparison of nursing activities associated with manual and automated documentation in an Australian intensive care unit.

This article describes a comparative study that examined the frequencies of nursing activities, when using a clinical information system (CIS) and a paper-based documentation system in an Australian intensive care unit. The study unit had half the beds equipped with a CIS, and the remaining beds used paper documentation. Work sampling methodology was used to observe nurses working with both systems. Though there were differences for all activities between the environments and the directions of the differences were logical, none were statistically significant using a chi-square test (P = .11-0.65), probably because of the small sample size. This study established that work sampling methodology using a random timer is a valid and relatively easy method to capture work activity in the clinical area. Although this article does not provide definitive information regarding the benefits of a CIS over manual documentation, a number of important methodological issues are discussed, including the study design, procedure, use of dedicated observers, and the distinction between basic versus fully optioned systems. Future research should evaluate the efficiency, impact on patient outcomes and nursing practice, and cost effectiveness of fully optioned systems.

Attitudes of Australian nurses toward the implementation of a clinical information system.

A computerized clinical information system (CIS) used for the majority of patient charting and medical records was installed in six of 15 beds in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a large Australian hospital in November 1993. Staff acceptance was identified as integral to the success of the system. A survey was issued to all nursing staff of the ICU to identify factors that affected attitude toward computers in the critical care environment. Factors resulting in negative attitudes then could be targeted through training and support for users. The factors considered that potentially could influence attitudes were age, nursing experience, intensive care nursing experience, and education. The study showed that nursing experience had a statistically significant effect on motivation to use computers. A strong relation was evident between the concepts of beliefs, attitudes, and motivation. A less apparent association was present between knowledge and the other concepts. Orientation and in-service education programs should provide appropriate and applied information to optimize the motivation, beliefs, and computer literacy of nurses using CIS frameworks.