Using eHealth Technology to Improve Communication
Clinical Informatics Research Team at Kingston General Hospital:
Lenora Duhn, RN, MSc;
Ann Gay, RN, Med;
Susan Hall, RN, BN;
Elizabeth Van Den Kerkhof, RN, DrPH;
Rosemary Wilson, RN(EC), PhD(c), ACNP CON(c)
Communication within healthcare is vital, complex and impacts on patient outcomes. Errors in communication are the leading cause of in-hospital mortality. The use of innovative technology to support efficient and effective communication can improve workflow impacting on both patient safety and staff workload.
Wireless networks installed in healthcare facilities are capable of transmitting digitized speech in voice-over internet protocol or VOIP. The Vocera badge is a portable and hands-free communication tool that we studied with nursing staff in our healthcare organization.
All functions are voice-activated or hands-free, with the exception of the initiation of the call. Unlike traditional systems, the voice-activated system allows for real-time interactive discussion, allowing caregivers the opportunity to ask and respond to questions as long as privacy concerns are managed.
Our study demonstrated significantly improved efficiencies related to common nursing unit communication activities. Phone-related activities (number of times walking to or from the telephone) decreased by 60%, time spent looking for others decreased by 45%, and time spent looking for medication keys decreased by 32%.
Users were delighted with the ease and speed with which they could call other caregivers without having to leave the bedside or when moving from place to place. The ability to quickly call for immediate help in urgent situations, no matter the place, was seen as a critical safety issue. Findings have been published in the journal, Computers, Informatics and Nursing (vol. 27(4), p. 254-62; 2009). The tool has since been implemented across the organization driven by the results of this study, and is being used by various care providers and support service personnel.
Kingston General Hospital currently has 34 eChampions.