Can technology change the work of nurses? Evaluation of a drug monitoring system for ambulatory chronic disease patients.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of an electronic drug monitoring system (eDMS) for ambulatory rheumatology patients on time nurses spent on, and the process of, drug monitoring.

Methods: The study was conducted in the Rheumatology Department of a large metropolitan hospital. The eDMS, a module of the Hospital Clinical Information System (HCIS), was designed to allow electronic ordering and subsequent monitoring of ambulatory patients on long-term, immunosuppressive rheumatology medications.

Use of an electronic drug monitoring system for ambulatory patients with chronic disease: how does it impact on nurses' time spent documenting clinical care?

Medication monitoring of ambulatory rheumatology patients on Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDS) is time consuming and complex, with possibilities for error. Electronic systems have the potential to improve the process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an electronic Drug Monitoring System (eDMS) on the time nurses' spent on clinical documentation associated with monitoring.

An ICU clinical information system - clinicians' expectations and perceptions of its impact.

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is an information intense environment where Clinical Information Systems (CISs) can greatly impact patient care and the workload of clinicians. With the introduction of an ICU CIS imminent across New South Wales hospitals, we aimed to understand how ICU clinicians perceived a new system would impact on work practices in Australian ICUs, as much of the current evidence is generated from overseas. We conducted interviews with 66 doctors and nurses in 3 ICUs without a CIS.

The impact of PACS on clinician work practices in the intensive care unit: a systematic review of the literature.

Objective: To assess evidence of the impact of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) on clinicians' work practices in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: We searched Medline, Pre-Medline, CINAHL, Embase, and the SPIE Digital Library databases for English-language publications between 1980 and September 2010 using Medical Subject Headings terms and keywords.

Results: Eleven studies from the USA and UK were included.

Innovation in intensive care nursing work practices with PACS.

Doctors are the main users of x-rays and other medical images in hospitals and as such picture archive and communication systems (PACS) have been designed to improve their work processes and clinical care by providing them with faster access to images. Nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs) also access images as an integral part of their work, yet no studies have examined the impact of PACS on the work of intensive care nurses. Our study aimed to examine whether and how ICU nurses view and use images and whether access to PACS promotes innovation in work practices.

Does PACS facilitate work practice innovation in the intensive care unit?

Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) allow the fast delivery of imaging studies to clinicians at the point-of-care, supporting quicker decision-making. PACS has the potential to have a significant impact in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where critical decisions are made on a daily basis, particularly during ward rounds. We aimed to examine how accessing image information is integrated into ward rounds and if the presence of PACS produced innovations in ward round practices.

Non-emergency patient transport: what are the quality and safety issues? A systematic review.

Purpose: Patient transportation is an important component of health-care delivery; however, the quality and safety issues relating to non-emergency patient transport services have rarely been discussed compared with the transport of emergency patients. This systematic review examines the factors associated with the quality and safety of non-emergency transport services.

Data Sources: Medline, Pre-Medline, CINAHL and Embase databases were searched for publications between 1990 and September 2009.

Standardizing care in medical oncology: are Web-based systems the answer?

Background: Medical oncology is embracing information technology to standardize care and improve patient outcomes, with a range of Web-based systems used internationally. The authors' aim was to determine the factors affecting the uptake and use of a Web-based protocol system for medical oncology in the Australian setting.

Methods: The authors conducted 50 interviews and observed medical oncology physicians, nurses, and pharmacists in their treatment setting at 6 hospitals in different geographic locations.