Healthcare Workers’ Expectations of the Mercury Advance SMARTcare Solution to Prevent Pressure Injuries: A Qualitative Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
The transformation in global demography and the shortage of healthcare workers require innovation and efficiency in the field of healthcare. Digital Technology can help improve the efficiency of healthcare. The Mercury Advance SMARTcare solution is an example of digital technology. The system is connected to a hybrid mattress and is able to detect patient movement, based on which the air pump either starts automatically, or sends a notification to the application. Barriers to the adoption of the system are unknown and it is unclear if the solution will be able to support healthcare workers in their work.
Objective:
Gaining insight into healthcare workers’ expectations of factors that could either hamper or support the adoption of the Mercury Advance SMARTcare unit connected to a Mercury Advance mattress, in order to help prevent patients from developing pressure injuries in hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Methods:
A generic qualitative study was conducted from February to December of 2022. Interviews were conducted and a focus group was established with use of a topic list of healthcare workers from both the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Thematic analysis according to Braun & Clarke was performed by two independent researchers.
Results:
14 participants took part in the study: 6 participants joined the focus group and 8 participants took part in the individual interviews. Thirteen factors were identified, based on four themes: (1) factors specifically related to SMARTresponse, (2) vision on innovation, (3) match with healthcare activities and (4) materials and resources involved. Signaling function, SMARTresponse as prevention, Patient category, Representatives, and Implementation strategy were identified as facilitators. Perception towards patient repositioning, Accessibility to pressure injury aides, and Connectivity were identified as barriers.
Conclusions:
Several conditions have to be met in order to enhance the adoption of the Mercury Advance SMARTcare solution, including the engagement of representatives during training and a reliable wireless network. The identified factors can be used to facilitate the implementation process.
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