The Impact of Information Systems Use on Work Tasks and Work Practices in an Emergency Department.

This paper describes the plan for the third stage of a longitudinal assessment of the progressive implementation of IS in an emergency department. The assessment adopts a case study approach with nested mixed methods where quantitative data will be collected through observations and qualitative data will be collected through focus group interviews. The findings from the study can inform the design of IS that is well aligned with the intended strategic outcomes of IS implementation in emergency medicine.

Electronic error-reporting systems: a case study into the impact on nurse reporting of medical errors.

Background: Underreporting of errors in hospitals persists despite the claims of technology companies that electronic systems will facilitate reporting. This study builds on previous analyses to examine error reporting by nurses in hospitals using electronic media.

Purpose: This research asks whether the electronic media creates additional barriers to error reporting, and, if so, what practical steps can all hospitals take to reduce these barriers.

One hundred tasks an hour: an observational study of emergency department consultant activities.

Objective: To determine work activity patterns undertaken by ED consultants.

Methods: A single observer time-motion study of consultants rostered to clinical shifts: primarily administrative (Duty) or clinical (Resuscitation). Direct observation of 130 h was undertaken using purpose developed time-stamping software.