Integration of an ICU visualization dashboard (i-Dashboard) as a platform to facilitate multidisciplinary rounds: A cluster randomized trial (Preprint)
BACKGROUND Multidisciplinary rounds (MDRs) are scheduled, patient-focused communication mechanisms among multidisciplinary providers in the intensive care unit (ICU). OBJECTIVE i-Dashboard is a custom-developed visualization dashboard that supports 1) key information retrieval and reorganization, 2) time-series data and 3) display on large touchscreens during MDRs. The present study aimed to evaluate the performance, including the efficiency of pre-rounding data gathering, communication accuracy and information exchange, and clinical satisfaction of integrating i-Dashboard as a platform to facilitate MDRs. METHODS A cluster randomized trial was performed in two surgical ICUs at a university hospital. Study participants included all multidisciplinary care team members. The performances and clinical satisfaction of i-Dashboard during MDRs were compared with those of the established electronic medical record (EMR) through direct observation and questionnaire survey. RESULTS Between April 26, 2021, and July 18, 2021, 78 and 91 MDRs were performed with the established EMR and i-Dashboard, respectively. For pre-rounding data gathering, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) time was 10.4 (9.1-11.8) and 4.6 (3.5-5.8) minutes using the established EMR and i-Dashboard (P<.001), respectively. During MDRs, data misrepresentations were significantly less frequent with i-Dashboard (median [IQR]: 0 [0-0]) than with the established EMR (4 [3-5]; P<.001). Also, effective recommendations were significantly more frequent with i-Dashboard than with the established EMR (P<.001). The questionnaire results revealed that participants favored using i-Dashboard in association with the enhancement of care plan development and team participation during MDRs. CONCLUSIONS i-Dashboard increases the efficiency in data gathering. Displaying i-Dashboard on large touchscreens in MDRs may enhance communication accuracy, information exchange and clinical satisfaction. The design concepts of i-Dashboard may help develop visualization dashboards that are more applicable for ICU MDRs. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04845698; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04845698