Effectiveness of a Computer Application in Improving Pulmonary Artery Catheter Waveform Interpretation

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Skill with pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) waveform interpretation is inadequate among physicians and nurses. We, the investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital, have developed a web-based computer program to assist physicians and nurses in PAC waveform interpretation. We will study the effectiveness of this program on improving the interpretation of waveforms on a computer-based test.

Detailed Description
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The pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) guides diagnosis and treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU), but studies have shown that physicians and nurses collectively have inadequate skill in interpreting PAC waveforms. We have developed a Web-based application that provides physicians and nurses with rapid access to relevant PAC-related content for use in patient care situations. The application begins with a visual index that assists clinicians in the recognition of both normal and abnormal waveforms and provides waveform-specific links to concise advice on making accurate pressure measurements, troubleshooting system problems, and avoiding complications of catheter use. Initial evaluation will consist of a before-and-after trial to determine whether the application improves test performance in the areas of waveform recognition, accuracy of measurement, and appropriateness of action. Once the resource is in production, we will electronically log usage and survey users to evaluate the extent and effect of actual utilization.

Official Title
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Effectiveness of a Web-Based Computer Application in Improving Pulmonary Artery Catheter Waveform Interpretation Among Nurses and Physicians

Conditions
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Pulmonary Artery Catheter Waveform Interpretation

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Web-based waveform interpretation guide


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Critical care nurses House officers rotating through the medical Intensive Care Unit Fellows rotating through the medical Intensive Care Unit
Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Web-based waveform interpretation guide<br>The arm has access to the Web-based waveform interpretation guide. | Device: Web-based waveform interpretation guide<br>* Use of an educational website.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Score on a Computer-based Test on Pulmonary Artery Catheter Waveform Interpretation | The study was terminated before the primary outcome could be measured. None of the participants took the post-intervention test. | 1 month | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Individual and Collective Frequency of Use and Usage Patterns of the Web-based Waveform Interpretation Guide | The study was terminated before the secondary outcome could be measured. Usage data was not collected over the following year. | 1 year | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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pulmonary artery catheter, waveform interpretation, computer-based learning, medical education