7.8.3 Confidence and proficiency levels of ICU nurses using computerised technologies: An Australian study (103)
Mary O'Connell, Staff Nurse, Health Information Management, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Co authors: Kate O'Loughlin & Janelle Craig control13@optusnet.com.au
Abstract:
Background:
Computerised equipment is increasingly used in fast-paced healthcare environments such as Intensive Care Units (ICUs) where core decisions must be made quickly (Zytkowski 2003). The extensive and broad range of computerised equipment used in ICUs and the inherent responsibilities for their management and safe usage typifies the educational requirements for ICU nurses (Neighbours et al 1991, McConnell 1998).
Aims:
To investigate the training needs and experiences of nurses using computerised equipment in fully and partially computerised Intensive Care Units.
Methods:
A two-stage research study using mixed methods. Stage1: six in-depth interviews with ICU nursing staff from two Sydney metropolitan public hospitals. Stage 2: a survey of nursing staff from five Sydney metropolitan public hospitals (n=504). Two of the hospitals had a fully computerised ICUs; three were partially computerised ICUs.
Results:
Themes (positive and negative clinical experiences of using computerised equipment) that emerged from the interviews were used to inform the survey instrument. The results from the survey with a response rate (n=232) show a significant correlation between confidence and proficiency levels in ICU nurses. Overall confidence levels of staff employed in fully computerised units and the opportunity to attend computerised equipment in-services, were statistically significant by comparison to partially computerised units. There was no significant difference in proficiency levels between the units.
Discussion:
The results suggest that fully computerised ICUs afford their nursing staff improved training and exposure with computerised equipment thereby supporting a more confident clinical approach. Perhaps the fact that no paper charting is used in these units allowed the focus to be on the computerised equipment; thus creating a different mind-set.
Conclusions:
These findings support further investigation of the educational needs of ICU nurses, for improved confidence and proficiency levels in their clinical experience with technology implementation.
Recommended reading list:
- Zytkowski ME. Nursing informatics: the key to unlocking contemporary nursing practice. AACN Clinical Issues Advanced Practice in Acute Critical Care, 2003;14(3): 271-81
- Neighbours M, Eldred E, Sullivan M. Nursing skills necessary for competency in the high-tech health care system. Nursing and Health Care 1991;12(2):92-96
- McConnell E. Medical Device Use by Nurses: A Review of Published Nursing Literature. Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology 1998;32(5):471-8
Source of Funding: Non UK
Amount in Funding: 1,000 - 10,000
Biography:
Mary O’Connell RN, BHlthSc (Nursing) Southern Cross, MHIM Sydney Mary O’Connell is a registered nurse currently working in Cardiothoracic ICU at the Prince of Wales Hospital Sydney. She has had extensive experience in many areas of nursing in Australia and overseas in the Middle East and England. She also holds a masters degree in health information management with her area of interest involving nursing and health informatics. Currently she is writing her doctoral thesis investigating the training needs of ICU nurses to use computerised equipment.