Integrated information visualization to support decision making for use of antibiotics in intensive care: design and usability evaluation

Abstract

Overuse of antibiotics is a critical problem in intensive care today. The situation is further complicated by the extremely data-intensive environment with clinical data presented in distributed, often stand-alone information systems. To access and interpret all data is a complex and time-consuming technical and cognitive challenge. We propose a holistic integrated visualization in the form of a patient overview to support physicians in decision making for use of antibiotics at intensive care units. Special emphasis is put on analysis of work processes to identify information needs, the development of a visualization tool based on an integrated data model, and usability testing of the tool in combination with an eye-tracking technology. The visualization tool was highly rated in terms of user performance and preferences, and the analysis of users' visual patterns showed that different types of data visualization may benefit specialist and resident intensive care physicians depending on the task to be performed. A highly interactive tool for integrated information visualization could potentially increase the understanding of a patient's infection status and ultimately enhance decision making for the use of antibiotics.

Automated analysis of free-text comments and dashboard representations in patient experience surveys: a multimethod co-design study

“…Forty-three studies were included in the review. Study settings and intervention types included general practice, 73 quality-of-life information systems, 74,75 primary care, 76,77 emergency departments, 78,79 personal health dashboards, 80 hospital care 79,[81][82][83][84][85] and sexual health. 86…”

“…The evaluation methods used in studies varied from focus groups and interviews 74,[87][88][89] to walk-throughs, 74,76,78,82,90,91 eye-tracking 82 and questionnaires. 79,82,91 The study findings covered access, flexibility and individualisation, usability, use of images and videos, chart types, data interrogation, print and export, community features, security and privacy and offering recommendations and solutions, which are considered in turn in the following sections.…”

“…77 Benefits were also reported from being able to dynamically add, remove and adjust elements of the system to fit the user's focus and workflow. 74,82,103 The appropriate style to use when presenting the data is highly related to the nature of the data set and its audience, and, hence, it was recommended in four studies that the user is presented with a choice of graphs, dials or tables that can be adapted to individual preferences. 74,82,[102][103][104]…”

“…74,103 Correspondingly, simple layouts were found to be appropriate for most users, whereas more complex, highly interactive dashboards were more suitable for 'power users' with analytical responsibilities. 74,82,103 Overall, to support the effective interpretation of information on the dashboard, it was recommended that the pages are not cluttered or overburdened with information. 90,96,104,106,109 The information at the bottom of the page tends not to be found easily, thus key points should appear at the top.…”

Tuberculosis among HIV-infected patients in Stockholm, Sweden, 1987–2010: Treatment outcomes and adverse reactions

“…One of the main identified benefits with the eviTMA CDS prototype was the overview provided by the graphic visualization of both patient data and drug therapy recommendations. Forsman, Anani, Eghdam, Falkenhav, and Koch (2013) show how the integration of information from different sources into a holistic overview can support antibiotics decision-making in the intensive care unit. The findings in this thesis indicate that this type of holistic overview is also desirable in an ambulatory setting for the treatment of complex patient conditions.…”