Implementing a computerized tool for shift handover report writing.

Communication failures have been identified as the main cause of safety-related incidents in patient care. Shift handover, as communication between two shifts of nurses about patients' situations, is important in the exchange of information. Automation and use of computer technology are considered key for more effective and standardized communication. The aim of the study was to assess nurses' perceptions of the use of a computerized tool for shift report writing in a teaching hospital in Spain. A comparative-descriptive study was carried out. A questionnaire was designed and distributed among nurses in hospital wards; 87 nurses (72%) completed the questionnaire. Most deemed the tool useful: it conveyed the most important information about the patient and enhanced the quality of the information, and a decrease in time needed for report writing was perceived by nurses. Surgical wards had a more positive perception than medical wards. In conclusion, nurses' perception of the use of a computerized tool for shift handover report writing was positive and acknowledged the pivotal role of computerization.

Nurses' perception of the use of computerised information systems in practice: questionnaire development.

AIM: To develop and validate a questionnaire to explore the perceptions of nurses about the implementation of a computerised information system in clinical practice. BACKGROUND: A growing interest in understanding nurses' experience of developing and implementing clinically relevant Information Technology systems and the lack of measurement tools in this area, justifies further research into the development of instruments to provide an insight into nurses' experience. DESIGN: Survey and questionnaire development. METHOD: An initial draft of the questionnaire was developed based on the literature and expert opinion. The questionnaire was piloted by ten nurses to check face validity, reliability and test-retest reliability. A revised version of the questionnaire was distributed to nurses working in the in-patient area of a university hospital in Spain (n = 227). Principal components analysis with oblique rotation was carried out to test theoretically developed underlying dimensions and to test construct validity. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to determine internal consistency. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha for all the items included in the different scales was 0.88 in the pilot questionnaire and test-retest reliability was adequate. Principal components analysis of items related to mechanisms produced a three-component structure ('IT support', 'usability' and 'information characteristics'). The three factors explained 48.6% of the total variance and Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.66-0.79. Principal components analysis of items related to outcomes produced a three factor solution ('impact on patient care', 'impact on communication' and 'image profile'). The factors explained 65.9% of the total variance and Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.64-0.85. CONCLUSION: The study provides a detailed description and justification of an instrument development process. The instrument is valid and reliable for the setting where it has been used. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The instrument could provide insight into nurses' experience of IT implementation that will guide further development of systems to enhance clinical practice.