Design errors in vital sign charts used in consultant-led maternity units in the United Kingdom.
Design
Error
Patient record
Patient safety
Standards of care
Women’s health
Journal
International journal of obstetric anesthesia
ISSN: 1532-3374
Titre abrégé: Int J Obstet Anesth
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 9200430
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
08 2019
08 2019
Historique:
received:
15
08
2018
revised:
21
12
2018
accepted:
01
01
2019
pubmed:
18
2
2019
medline:
1
2
2020
entrez:
18
2
2019
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Paper-based charts remain the principal means of documenting the vital signs of hospitalised pregnant and postnatal women. However, poor chart design may contribute to both incorrect charting of data and clinical responses. We decided to identify design faults that might have an adverse clinical impact. One hundred and twenty obstetric early warning charts and escalation protocols from consultant-led maternity units in the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands were analysed using an objective and systematic approach. We identified design errors that might impede their successful use (e.g. generate confusion regarding vital sign documentation, hamper the recognition of maternal deterioration, cause a failure of the early warning system or of any clinical response). We found 30% (n=36/120) of charts contained at least one design error with the potential to confuse staff, render the charts difficult to use or compromise patient safety. Amongst the most common areas were inadequate patient identification, poor use of colour, illogical weighting, poor alignment and labelling of axes, and the opportunity for staff to 'game' the escalation. We recommend the urgent development of an evidence-based, standardised obstetric observation chart, which integrates 'human factors' and user experience. It should have a clear layout and style, appropriate colour scheme, correct language and labelling, and the ability for vital signs to be documented accurately and quickly. It should incorporate a suitable early warning score to guide clinical management.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Paper-based charts remain the principal means of documenting the vital signs of hospitalised pregnant and postnatal women. However, poor chart design may contribute to both incorrect charting of data and clinical responses. We decided to identify design faults that might have an adverse clinical impact.
METHODS
One hundred and twenty obstetric early warning charts and escalation protocols from consultant-led maternity units in the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands were analysed using an objective and systematic approach. We identified design errors that might impede their successful use (e.g. generate confusion regarding vital sign documentation, hamper the recognition of maternal deterioration, cause a failure of the early warning system or of any clinical response).
RESULTS
We found 30% (n=36/120) of charts contained at least one design error with the potential to confuse staff, render the charts difficult to use or compromise patient safety. Amongst the most common areas were inadequate patient identification, poor use of colour, illogical weighting, poor alignment and labelling of axes, and the opportunity for staff to 'game' the escalation.
CONCLUSIONS
We recommend the urgent development of an evidence-based, standardised obstetric observation chart, which integrates 'human factors' and user experience. It should have a clear layout and style, appropriate colour scheme, correct language and labelling, and the ability for vital signs to be documented accurately and quickly. It should incorporate a suitable early warning score to guide clinical management.
Identifiants
pubmed: 30772121
pii: S0959-289X(18)30382-0
doi: 10.1016/j.ijoa.2019.01.001
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
60-67Informations de copyright
Crown Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.