JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Intensive Care Units (ICUs) around the world are in high demand due to patients with COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. As researchers at the [removed for peer review], we were approached to develop a bespoke data visualisation dashboard to assist two local ICUs during the pandemic.

Objective:

To conduct interviews with ICU staff in [removed for peer review] to elicit requirements for a bespoke dashboard to monitor high volume of patients, particularly during the pandemic.

Methods:

We conducted six semi-structured interviews with clinical staff to obtain an overview of their requirements for the dashboard and to ensure its ultimate suitability for end-users. Interview questions aimed to understand the job roles undertaken in the ICU, the potential uses of the dashboard, the specific issues associated with managing COVID-19 patients, the key data of interest and any concerns about the introduction of a dashboard into the ICU.

Results:

From our interviews, we found the following five key design requirements. (1) A flexible dashboard, where the functionality can be updated quickly and effectively to respond to emerging information about the management of this new disease. (2) Customizability is critical, as each staff member should be able to adapt the dashboard to display parameters of specific interest to them, and also to prevent information overload. (3) Having real-time, reliable and clear trends visible in the patient data. (4) Warnings and notifications must occur at appropriate times to prompt a quick and efficient response from staff. (5) Finally, an ability to track staff workloads in order to manage staff handovers and shifts more efficiently.

Conclusions:

The study findings confirms that digital solutions for ICU use would potentially reduce the cognitive load of ICU staff and reduce clinical errors at a time of notably high demand of intensive healthcare.