title: Evaluation of a Novel Communication Application From Nurses' Perspectives.
abstract: The purpose of this article is to report usability of a computer application, Speak for Myself, from nurses' perspectives. This was a one-group exploratory survey. Nurses included patients in the study who were older than 18 years, could write and speak English, were unable to verbalize needs for any reason, and had a specified sedation-agitation scale (-1 to +1). Patients were excluded if they were younger than 18, could not write and/or speak English, or had a Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale score exceeding -1 to +1. Twelve RNs from various ICUs in two hospitals in South Florida participated in the study. A person who was a supervisor or clinical specialist was chosen in each participating unit and at each hospital for recruitment of patient participants. Five nurses (41.6%) stated their patients were able to communicate better with the use of Speak for Myself, and all 12 nurses (100%) indicated they would use Speak for Myself again. Suggestions for further development of Speak for Myself were offered from the nurses. Limitations include a small sample in South Florida. The results of this and previous studies about Speak for Myself will be used in further development and testing of the computer application.
authors.affiliation: Author Affiliations: College of Nursing, University of Tennessee-Knoxville (Dr Koszalinski); and Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton (Dr Tappen and Dr Grumme), and Clinical Practice, Holy Cross Hospital, Fort Lauderdale (Ms Melhuish), FL.
authors.forename: Rebecca S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Koszalinski
authors.forename: Ruth M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Tappen
authors.forename: Tracey
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Melhuish
authors.forename: Valarie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grumme
mesh_terms: D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D064648:Critical Care Nursing / Q000379:methods; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D012984:Software