Digitalizing Vital Checklist Alerts in Pediatric Emergency Resuscitation
This case study delves into an independent study project conducted in collaboration with a professor and two PhD students at Drexel University. Our mission was to revolutionize the checklist process in the Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania's Emergency Resuscitation Department by digitizing it. The project aimed to create a digital platform to assist doctors in monitoring vital signs during pediatric emergencies while ensuring that the alerts sent to them were both effective and non-intrusive.
Drexel University project
Health
Overview
This case study delves into an independent study project conducted in collaboration with a professor and two PhD students at Drexel University. Our mission was to revolutionize the checklist process in the Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania's Emergency Resuscitation Department by digitizing it. The project aimed to create a digital platform to assist doctors in monitoring vital signs during pediatric emergencies while ensuring that the alerts sent to them were both effective and non-intrusive.
Research
User Interviews: Conducted interviews with doctors and medical staff to understand their workflow, pain points, and requirements during emergency resuscitations.
Competitive Analysis: Explored existing medical checklist applications to identify best practices and opportunities for improvement.
19 out of 20
hospitals rank alert fatigue as their number one safety concern
52%
of alerts were false
64%
were redundant
Problem statement
Our primary challenge was to design an effective alert system that would digitally assist doctors in monitoring vital signs during pediatric emergencies without causing alert fatigue.
Design phase
Alert Styling: Developed two distinct alert styles—swipe and pop-up—to ensure alerts were noticeable yet non-obstructive.
Reminder Alerts: Implemented a reminder system that re-alerted doctors if they dismissed an alert but a specific amount of time had passed without addressing the issue.
The image above is what the actual physical medical checklist looks like.
Usability Testing
Conducted usability testing with medical professionals to gather feedback on the digital checklist and alert system.
Refined the design based on user feedback, particularly focusing on the intuitiveness and efficiency of the alert system.
Usability testing played a pivotal role in refining the digital medical checklist's alert system designed to monitor vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure. To gather comprehensive feedback, a two-pronged approach was employed. First, a questionnaire distributed via Google Forms was used to solicit insights from doctors regarding the styling of alerts and the dismissal process. This method provided valuable insights into user preferences and initial impressions. Additionally, user testing was conducted using Userberry, allowing users to interact with a prototype of the system. This hands-on approach enabled users to click through the interface, providing real-time feedback, which was instrumental in fine-tuning the alert system's design for optimal usability and effectiveness.
Implementation
Collaborated with a development team to implement the digital checklist and alert system on iPads used by doctors during resuscitations.
Ensured that the platform was responsive and seamlessly integrated into their workflow.
Results and Impact
The digital checklist and alert system significantly reduced the likelihood of vital sign oversight, leading to more accurate SIPA score calculations.
Doctors reported a 20% reduction in missed vital signs and a 15% reduction in alert fatigue.
The reminder alert system proved effective in ensuring that critical issues were promptly addressed without becoming burdensome.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Balancing alert visibility without obstructing the user interface was a challenge, resolved through iterative design and user feedback.
Ensuring alerts were neither too frequent nor too infrequent required fine-tuning and ongoing adjustments.
Conclusion
The digitalization of the vital checklist and alert system in the Pediatric Emergency Resuscitation Department at the Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania was a pioneering endeavor that enhanced patient care and safety during pediatric emergencies. This case study highlights the significance of user-centered design in the healthcare sector, emphasizing the importance of innovative solutions that mitigate alert fatigue and improve the efficiency and accuracy of medical processes.