They don t just happen. This article will address the particularly troublesome area of interfacing - not in terms of computer technology but in terms of functionality users expect such interfaces to provide. Without an initial and thorough consideration of desired functionality, however, a system runs the risk of being declared operational by programmers and a total failure by users. While interfacing generally involves several functions including billing, demographic data, order entry and results reporting, this discussion will focus primarily on the last item. It is in the area of reporting to nursing personal and the medical staff where serious problems emerge.
Several factors come into play.
First, even though they are a nuisance, phone calls are old and comfortable. It s the way we ve always done it. Computer reports, no matter how well-designed and prompt may be new and foreign to the medical staff and nursing personnel. It is always easier to continue with the old rather than to change to the new. There must be strong motivation to change.