Chirambo Lezzie Douglas, Mulaga Atupele Ngina, Thengolose Adamson, Vweza Alick Onesimus, Bierling Bart Laurens, Study Team Impala, Calis Job
Department of Mathematical Sciences, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi.
Department of Electrical Engineering, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi.
Med Sci Monit. 2024 Dec 23;30:e945856. doi: 10.12659/MSM.945856.
BACKGROUND Patient monitoring systems (PMSs) are essential for monitoring and managing the condition of critically ill patients. In low-resource settings, limited access to technology, low-level digital literacy, and power outage challenges are usability concerns. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the usability of the IMPALA (Innovative Monitoring in Paediatrics in Low-resource settings: an Aid to save lives) PMS optimized for use in low-resource settings by assessing the opinions and experiences of 24 healthcare professionals. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study used a mixed-method design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitatively, 24 participants (nurses and clinicians) completed the Usefulness, Satisfaction, and Ease of Use questionnaire to assess the PMS usability. Qualitatively, contextual inquiry and co-design sessions provided insights into users' experiences and identified usability issues. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. RESULTS The PMS was rated 9.13 for usefulness, 8.49 for user satisfaction, 7.83 for ease of use, and 7.60 for ease of learning. Reported challenges included lack of knowledge/skills due to limited previous exposure (70.8%), frequent sensor detachment (58.3%), inaccurate SpO₂ readings (37.5%), and frequent/false alarms (33.3%). Contextual inquiry revealed that patient movement and poorly fitting sensors often caused inaccurate readings, leading to false alarms and potential patient safety risks. CONCLUSIONS Successful implementation of PMSs in a low-resource setting requires specific contextual user-centered design and training. Applying this, the IMPALA system yielded high usability scores. Further improvement should focus on expanded battery life, robust and durable SpO₂ sensors, and tailored training methods.
背景 患者监测系统（PMS）对于监测和管理危重症患者的病情至关重要。在资源匮乏地区，技术获取受限、数字素养水平低以及停电挑战等都是与可用性相关的问题。本研究的主要目的是通过评估24名医疗保健专业人员的意见和经验，来评估针对资源匮乏地区使用而优化的IMPALA（低资源环境下儿科创新监测：拯救生命的助力）患者监测系统的可用性。
材料与方法 本研究采用混合方法设计，将定量和定性方法相结合。在定量方面，24名参与者（护士和临床医生）完成了关于有用性、满意度和易用性的问卷，以评估该患者监测系统的可用性。在定性方面，情境调查和协同设计会议深入了解了用户的体验，并确定了可用性问题。使用描述性统计和主题分析对数据进行了分析。
结果 该患者监测系统在有用性方面的评分为9.13，用户满意度评分为8.49，易用性评分为7.83，易学性评分为7.60。报告的挑战包括由于以前接触有限而缺乏知识/技能（70.8%）、传感器频繁脱落（58.3%）、血氧饱和度（SpO₂）读数不准确（37.5%）以及频繁/误报警（33.3%）。情境调查显示，患者移动和传感器佩戴不合适常常导致读数不准确，从而引发误报警和潜在的患者安全风险。
结论 在资源匮乏地区成功实施患者监测系统需要以特定情境下的用户为中心进行设计和培训。基于此，IMPALA系统获得了较高的可用性评分。进一步的改进应集中在延长电池寿命、开发坚固耐用的SpO₂传感器以及定制培训方法上。
