title: Electronic communication channel within the patient data management system improves internal communication in the ICU.
abstract: The aim of this study was to improve the internal communication within the intensive care unit of the Kuopio University Hospital. We developed an intranet based internal communication channel within the patient data management system and studied the effectiveness of this system in improving communication in the ICU. The hypothesis was that the communication difficulties caused by the structure of the unit, large personnel and work schedule (three separate shifts) could be reduced by supplementing oral communication by this intranet based system. The results clearly indicate that this type of system can significantly improve communication within our unit.
authors.affiliation: Kuopio University Hospital, Intensive Care Unit, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Väisänen
authors.forename: Jaana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Holopainen
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003195:Computer Communication Networks; D005387:Finland; D006751:Hospital Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D019982:Organizational Case Studies