title: Of mice and men--data capture in the clinical environment.
abstract: We have considered the problem of data capture in the critical care area. Review of previous work on the use of alternative input devices for speed and accuracy of data entry yields conflicting information but suggests that requirements depend on input task, data type and skill of the user. We have performed comparative studies of the QWERTY keybord, cursor control keys, mouse and graphics tablet for data entry in two intensive therapy unit (ITU) environments. The graphics tablet proved overall the best of the devices studied. We report the potential applications of this type of input device.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, West Middlesex University Hospital, Isleworth, London, UK.
authors.forename: P O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Collinson
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Howes
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nicholls
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sheehy
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Boran
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Cramp
mesh_terms: D003199:Computer Systems; D003201:Computers; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008838:Microcomputers; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface