An exploration of patients’ experience of nurses’ use of point-of-care information technology in acute care

Leigh McNicol, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne AustraliaFollow
Anastasia F. Hutchinson, Deakin University, Victoria; Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne AustraliaFollow
Beverley Wood, Deakin University, Victoria; Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne AustraliaFollow
Mari Botti, Deakin University, Victoria; Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne AustraliaFollow
Bernice Redley, Deakin University, VictoriaFollow

Abstract

The rapid introduction of technology into acute healthcare settings, specifically the presence of point-of-care health information technology at patients’ bedsides, is expected to impact patients’ healthcare experience by altering nurse-patient interactions. This research was a multi-method naturalistic pilot study designed to explore patients’ perception of their interactions with nurses using bedside point-of-care health information technology in acute care. Data were collected using observation, interviews and surveys. Twenty-four participants were purposefully recruited from medical and surgical wards, to capture variability in their self-reported confidence with information technology; 29% were not confident, 38% were somewhat confident and 33% were completely confident with information technology. Participants’ mean age was 68.6 years (SD 11.1) and 63% were male. Qualitative observation, interview and survey data showed some nurses directly involved patients and explained or demonstrated how the point-of-care health information technology was being used to complement and enhance their care; while others used the point-of-care health information technology as an electronic documentation tool without engaging their patients. Patients’ experiences of point-of-care health information technology differed with their self-reported confidence with information technology; those with complete information technology confidence were better at recognising the potential and opportunities for point-of-care health information technology to support self-directed care than those with less confidence using information technology. Some participants reported that the use of point-of-care health information technology impeded interpersonal communication with nurses. Participants recognised the benefits of point-of-care health information technology to support clinical practice but generally desired greater engagement with the nurses when they used the system.

Recommended Citation

McNicol L, Hutchinson AF, Wood B, Botti M, Redley B. An exploration of patients’ experience of nurses’ use of point-of-care information technology in acute care. Patient Experience Journal. 2018; 5(1):76-89. doi: 10.35680/2372-0247.1213.