Wireless Communication in Clinical Environments with Unique Needs

Abstract

Wireless technology in healthcare has been associated with communication-related improvements in workflow; however, there are barriers to adoption. This study examined predictors of use of wireless communication devices (WCDs) in environments with unique needs (i.e., intensive care unit [ICU]). Nurses were recruited in the ICU to complete a paper questionnaire to assess their willingness to use WCDs. The Theory of Planned Behaviour was used to assess attitudes, subjective norms, perceived control, and behavioral intent. Responses included Likert scale scores and open-ended questions. Data were collected before and following the implementation of WCDs in ICU. The combined effects of attitudes, perceived control and subjective norms on behavioral intent were tested using the general linear model. The narrative data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Attitudes and subjective norms were predictors of behavioral intent to use WCDs preimplementation but not postimplementation. Differences in the factors affecting intent to use WCDs between the ICU and the surgical unit may be related to the unique nature of the critical care environment, and to the lack of a comprehensive preimplementation strategy. A study examining predictors of use on a general inpatient unit where a comprehensive implementation strategy was not employed would provide insight into whether these findings are related to the implementation strategy or the unique nature of the critical care environment. Improved understanding of the function and application of innovative technology at the point of care, and attention to the process of implementation may improve adoption of this potentially beneficial device.

Healthcare professionals’ competence in digitalisation: A systematic review

“…The five original quantitative studies were conducted in Thailand (Kijsanayotin et al, ), Finland (Koivunen et al, ), Australia (Sands et al, ), Turkey (Secginli et al, ) and the United States (Wilson et al, ).The seven original qualitative studies were conducted in Finland (Anttila, Koivunen, & Välimäki, ), Sweden (Holmström & Höglund, ; Munck, Fridlund, & Mårtensson, ), the Netherlands (van Houwelingen, Moerman, Ettema, Kort, & Cate, ), Australia (O'Connell, Reid, & O'Loughlin, ),the United States (Zuzelo et al, ) and the UK (Snooks et al, ). The forms of digitalisation covered in these studies were telehealth ( n = 2), telephone triage ( n = 1), telenursing ( n = 2), electronic health records ( n = 1), wireless communication devices ( n = 1), medical technology ( n = 2), computerised equipment ( n = 1), information technology‐based patient education ( n = 1) and health information technology ( n = 1).…”

“…Competence was measured in various ways in the quantitative studies. Hence, the presented values in each original study werechanged into percentages by calculations (Kijsanayotin, Pannarunothai, & Speedie, ; Koivunen, Anttila, Kuosmanen, Katajisto, & Välimäki, ; Secginli, Erdogan, & Monsen, ; Wilson et al, ). Mean percentages were calculated when the original findings were observational and reported as frequencies and/orpercentages (Sands et al, ).…”

“…Four of the quantitative studies (Kijsanayotin et al, ; Koivunen et al, ; Secginli et al, ; Wilson et al, ) used instruments that employed Likertscales, whereas Sands et al () used apercentage scale. Kijsanayotin et al (), Secginli et al () and Sands et al () developed the instruments used in their respective studies.…”

“…Sands et al () used the Mental Health Telephone Triage Competencies Observation Tool (MHTTCOT) to collect observational data, while Kijsanayotin et al () and Secginli et al () did not name their instruments, but discussed the processesused to validate them. Koivunen et al () and Wilson et al () used pre‐existing instruments. Koivunen et al () used both the Finnish versionof the Team Climate Inventory and Burke´s ICT attitude questionnaire to collect data, while Wilson et al () used the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) questionnaire.…”

“…Koivunen et al () and Wilson et al () used pre‐existing instruments. Koivunen et al () used both the Finnish versionof the Team Climate Inventory and Burke´s ICT attitude questionnaire to collect data, while Wilson et al () used the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) questionnaire.…”