Use of IPhone by Nurses in Acute Care Settings to Improve Communication and Decision Making Processes
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Abstract
Background
Communication issues amongst healthcare professionals and the patients are a major problem in the clinical area often resulting in medical errors that lead to death or permanent disability for many patients. Most of these errors are preventable. Although there is significant evidence to support the use of mobile technologies in the clinical area, nurses have been slow in adopting these technologies. The main reasons are hospital policy and tradition however with the advent of the smartphone nurses are now using this device to support clinical communications and workflow.
Objectives
This paper reports on the preliminary findings (focus group discussion) of a research project investigating the use of iPhone’s by nurses in a gynaecological unit at the Royal Women’s Hospital, a major teaching hospital in Melbourne Australia. The study will ascertain whether the iPhones improved nurses’ communication and decision making processes which indirectly have the potential to impact positively on the quality and safety of care provided to patients.
Methods
The research design employed both quantitative and qualitative methods: a cross sectional survey and focus group discussions to determine the impact and the use of the iPhones by twenty nurses in the gynaecology unit. To date the 12 month trial period has commenced, and the first focus group discussions have been completed.
Results
The positive findings from this qualitative data showed that the iPhones enhanced communication in the workplace, especially amongst the nurses, followed by physicians. Another advantage was the accessibility and portability of the device when providing point of care to the patients, resulting in more efficient and effective care. All the nurses also believed that this technology would evolve and be embraced by all nurses in the future. The negatives were the small screen when undertaking bedside education for the patient and the invasive nature of the device. Another issue was the perception of being viewed as unprofessional when using the device in real time with the patients and their family.
Conclusions
In conclusion the use of smartphones will be adopted by all nurses in the future and nursing managers and educators will need to ensure that policy is developed so that this occurs. This will require a cultural change from nursing administrators and educators as there is still a perception that nurses will use these devices in appropriately, that is checking their email and Facebook.
Keywords: iPhones, acute care, communication, decision making, nursing
Communication issues amongst healthcare professionals and the patients are a major problem in the clinical area often resulting in medical errors that lead to death or permanent disability for many patients. Most of these errors are preventable. Although there is significant evidence to support the use of mobile technologies in the clinical area, nurses have been slow in adopting these technologies. The main reasons are hospital policy and tradition however with the advent of the smartphone nurses are now using this device to support clinical communications and workflow.
Objectives
This paper reports on the preliminary findings (focus group discussion) of a research project investigating the use of iPhone’s by nurses in a gynaecological unit at the Royal Women’s Hospital, a major teaching hospital in Melbourne Australia. The study will ascertain whether the iPhones improved nurses’ communication and decision making processes which indirectly have the potential to impact positively on the quality and safety of care provided to patients.
Methods
The research design employed both quantitative and qualitative methods: a cross sectional survey and focus group discussions to determine the impact and the use of the iPhones by twenty nurses in the gynaecology unit. To date the 12 month trial period has commenced, and the first focus group discussions have been completed.
Results
The positive findings from this qualitative data showed that the iPhones enhanced communication in the workplace, especially amongst the nurses, followed by physicians. Another advantage was the accessibility and portability of the device when providing point of care to the patients, resulting in more efficient and effective care. All the nurses also believed that this technology would evolve and be embraced by all nurses in the future. The negatives were the small screen when undertaking bedside education for the patient and the invasive nature of the device. Another issue was the perception of being viewed as unprofessional when using the device in real time with the patients and their family.
Conclusions
In conclusion the use of smartphones will be adopted by all nurses in the future and nursing managers and educators will need to ensure that policy is developed so that this occurs. This will require a cultural change from nursing administrators and educators as there is still a perception that nurses will use these devices in appropriately, that is checking their email and Facebook.
Keywords: iPhones, acute care, communication, decision making, nursing
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