A Comparison of the Opinions of Nurses and Emergency Medical Workers regarding Medical Device Usability

Abstract

In this study critical care nurses and emergency medical workers (including firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and paramedics) were surveyed regarding their opinions of medical device usability. The goal of the study was to determine how the two populations fared in terms of general product understanding, proficiency, usability, and functionality. Furthermore, the study identified similarities and differences between the two populations, and explored areas of medical technology design upon which manufacturers can improve. Results showed that a major concern of both populations was training; nurses and emergency medical workers felt that workloads do not allow time for sufficient mastery of the devices. The respondents also felt that medical devices could be more consistent and less complex. Both groups indicated that it is most important to design products that are easy to learn, easy to use upon first use, and efficient to use long-term.

Co-Design in Electrical Medical Beds with Caregivers

“…Specifically, our participants address the need for lighter and more usable side rails, headboard/footboard, and less complex button panels. This finding is supported by the literature, which addresses the importance of ease-of-use [ 55 ], design for workload reduction [ 56 ], and reduction in complexity of bed commands [ 57 ] in healthcare environments. In particular, the headboard/footboard should be easily and quickly removable.…”

Nurses' attitudes towards medical devices in healthcare delivery: a systematic review

“…'s () study, nurses tended to prefer devices that were adjustable to individual patient needs and enhanced error reduction with double‐check safety systems, with device use increasing when they accomplished more than one task. Both McConnell () and Reed and Fisher () found that nurses wanted medical devices to be more reliable and less complex. Importantly, they wanted medical devices that were easy to learn, easy to use upon first use and efficient for long‐term use, with many nurses in Reed and Fisher's () study expressing interest in contributing ideas to the redesign of devices.…”

“…Both McConnell () and Reed and Fisher () found that nurses wanted medical devices to be more reliable and less complex. Importantly, they wanted medical devices that were easy to learn, easy to use upon first use and efficient for long‐term use, with many nurses in Reed and Fisher's () study expressing interest in contributing ideas to the redesign of devices.…”

“…Determining how a new medical device may impact on costs is challenging as many parameters need to be considered (Ahrens 1998, Kiekkas et al 2006. Some nurses recognised that devices may help make physical nursing care easier (McConnell 1990) and decrease workload (Reed & Fisher 2002). However, other nurses highlighted that extra work was often involved (McConnell 1990, Wichowski 1994, Barnard 2000, Alasad 2002) due to, for example, the need to learn how to use devices (Barnard 2000), coordinating, assessing and manipulating devices (Wichowski 1994) and explaining devices to patients and their family (McConnell 1990).…”

“…Common problems reported by nurses in several studies were the lack of proper knowledge of or training in device management and use (McConnell 1990, McConnell & Fletcher 1993, Moody et al 1996, Reed & Fisher 2002. Nurses in McConnell's (1990) study reported that a lack of knowledge about devices increased fears, while education eliminated many of these fears.…”