JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Display signage is ubiquitous and essential in hospitals to serve several clerical, operational and clinical functions, from displaying notices to giving directions to showing clinical information. These functions improve efficiency and patient engagement, reduce errors, and enhance the continuity of care. Over time, signage has evolved from analog approaches like whiteboards and handwritten notices to digital displays like LCD, LED and now electronic ink displays. Electronic ink displays are paper-like displays that are not backlit and show content by aligning microencapsulated color beads in response to an applied electric current. Power is only required to generate content and not to retain it. These displays are very readable with low eye strain, minimize emission of blue light, require minimal power and can be driven by several data sources ranging from virtual servers to electronic health record systems. These attributes make their use in hospitals an ideal use case.

Objective:

In this manuscript, we outline the usage of signage and displays in hospitals with focus on electronic ink displays. We assess the advantages and limitations of using these displays in hospitals and outline the various public- and patient-facing applications of electronic ink displays. Finally, we discuss the technological considerations and an implementation framework that must be followed in adopting and deploying electronic ink displays.

Methods:

The general public-facing applications of electronic ink displays included signage and way-finders, timetables for shared workspaces, and notice- and bulletin boards. The clinical display applications may be on smaller form factors such as door signs or bedside cards. The larger 40+ inch form factor may be used within patient rooms or at clinical command centers as a digital whiteboard to display everything from patient and clinician information, to care plans, to any general information. In all these applications, such displays could replace analog whiteboards and noticeboards, and even other digital screens.

Results:

We are conducting pilot research projects to delineate best use cases and practices in adopting electronic ink displays in clinical settings. This will entail liaising with key stakeholders, gathering objective logistical and feasibility data, and ultimately quantifying and describing the effect on clinical care and patient satisfaction.

Conclusions:

There are several use cases in a clinical setting that may lend themselves perfectly to electronic ink display usage. The main considerations to be studied in this adoption are network connectivity, content management, privacy and security robustness, and detailed comparison to existing modalities. Electronic ink displays offer a superior opportunity to future-proof existing practices. There is a need for theoretical consideration and real-world testing to determine if the advantages of electronic ink displays outweigh their limitations.