title: Critical care providers refer to information tools less during communication tasks after a critical care clinical information system introduction.
abstract: Electronic documentation methods may assist critical care providers with information management tasks in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). We conducted a quasi-experimental observational study to investigate patterns of information tool use by ICU physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists during verbal communication tasks. Critical care providers used tools less at 3 months after the CCIS introduction. At 12 months, care providers referred to paper and permanent records, especially during shift changes. The results suggest potential areas of improvement for clinical information systems in assisting critical care providers in ensuring informational continuity around their patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ballermann
authors.forename: Nicola T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Damon C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Mayes
authors.forename: R T Noel
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Gibney
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D006751:Hospital Information Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D019370:Observation