On the Use of Electronic Documentation Systems in Fast-Paced, Time-Critical Medical Settings

This study examines the use of an electronic flowsheet developed for capturing patient and process information during trauma resuscitation—a high-risk, fast-paced process of treating severely injured patients. Unlike medical records in most hospital units, the resuscitation record necessitates real-time completion because of the ephemeral nature of information and its contemporaneous use for patient care. We draw on in situ observations of 15 resuscitation events to understand how scribes interact with the system in such an environment. Our results showed frequent tab switching and problems navigating the interface, resulting in delayed data capture. We attribute these inefficiencies to the current layout of the electronic flowsheet, where information grouping follows logical rather than context-driven structure. We conclude by discussing design opportunities for future systems to improve both documentation and teamwork processes in fast-paced, time-critical medical settings.