A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Information Management in Hospital Unit Daily Operations : A Descriptive Study With Nurses and Physicians
Authors: von Gerich, Hanna; Peltonen, Laura-Maria
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Publication year: 2024
Journal: CIN: Computers Informatics Nursing
Journal name in source: Computers, informatics, nursing : CIN
Journal acronym: Comput Inform Nurs
Volume: 42
Issue: 8
First page : 557
Last page: 566
ISSN: 1538-2931
eISSN: 1538-9774
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/CIN.0000000000001142(external)
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1097/CIN.0000000000001142
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/454691476(external)
Operations management of a hospital unit is a shared activity involving nursing and medical professionals, characterized by suddenly changing situations, constant interruptions, and ad hoc decision-making. Previous studies have explored the informational needs affecting decision-making, but only limited information has been collected regarding factors affecting information management related to the daily operations of hospital units. The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of nursing and medical professionals of information management in the daily operations of hospital units. This qualitative study consists of interviews following the critical incidence technique. Twenty-six nurses and eight physicians working in operational leadership roles in hospital units were interviewed, and the data were subjected to thematic analysis. The data analysis showed that strengths of current systems were organizational operational procedures, general instruments supporting information management, and a digital operations dashboard, whereas opportunities for improvement included the information architecture, quality of information, and technology use. The study findings highlight that despite several decades of efforts to provide solutions to support information management in hospital daily operations, further measures need to be taken in developing and implementing information systems with user-centered strategies and systematic approaches to better support healthcare professionals.
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