A ward-based time study of paper and electronic documentation for recording vital sign observations.

ABSTRACT: Objective:To investigate time differences in recording observations and an early warning score using traditional paper charts and a novel e-Obs system in clinical practice. Methods:Researchers observed the process of recording observations and early warning scores across 3 wards in 2 university teaching hospitals immediately before and after introduction of the e-Obs system. The process of recording observations included both measurement and documentation of vital signs. Interruptions were timed and subtracted from the measured process duration. Multilevel modeling was used to compensate for potential confounding factors. Results:In all, 577 nurse events were observed (281 paper, 296 e-Obs). The geometric mean time to take a complete set of vital signs was 215?s (95% confidence interval [CI], 177?s-262?s) on paper, and 150?s (95% CI, 130?s-172?s) electronically. The treatment effect ratio was 0.70 (95% CI, 0.57-0.85, P ?

SUBMITTER: Wong D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7651906 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature