User requirements for interruption management in mobile communications in hospitals

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2013:192:1095.

Abstract

In hospitals, mobile communication devices increase the occurrence of inappropriate interruptions during clinical task performance. These interruptions have been related to decreased quality of clinical care. User requirements were elicited using a scenario based approach. The results present insights into user requirements for an interruption management system for hospitals. Hospital workflow protocols were identified as a major source of interruptions. Many suggestions for managing these interruptions related to improving workflow using IT. We have shown that even though the hospital is an exceptionally demanding environment, the user requirements for interruption management concur with earlier findings in the broader fields of context aware interruption management and computer supported cooperative work.

MeSH terms

  • Efficiency, Organizational*
  • Hospital Communication Systems / organization & administration*
  • Models, Organizational*
  • Needs Assessment
  • Patient Care Management / organization & administration*
  • Reminder Systems*
  • Task Performance and Analysis
  • Telemedicine / organization & administration*
  • Workflow*