Developing an implementation of digital ECG for Niuvanniemi Hospital NEMO-unit
Jetsu, Jukka (2024)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024093025833
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024093025833
Tiivistelmä
ECG has been vital part as a diagnostic tool for cardiac events in healthcare for decades. Digital ECG has been developed and has been used by variety of hospital globally. Digital ECG offers the means to digitally handle and archive ECG data. In Niuvanniemi Hospital NEMO-unit, approximately 50 ECGs are taken a year, and each ECGs are printed on paper.
The purpose of this thesis was to research the possibly to implement a paperless ECG to Niuvanniemi hospi-tal NEMO-unit. That would allow ECGs to be handled and stored digitally and would bring access to them from variety of locations throughout the hospital. The aim of the thesis was to find out was it possible at this state to begin the implementation and discover if there were any barriers. The research data would be used to gather information for future implementation and possibly bring the paperless ECG available to the entire hospital.
Research was conducted using semi-structured interview. Questions were created beforehand and send to the participants of the interview. Participants were invited to the interview. Two set of interviews were held where 5 people were interviewed. Interviews were recorded and after that transcribed. From transcription original expression were transformed to plain expression. Grouping was used to gather similarities together.
Research results indicated that current method of ECG was found outdated. Paper ECGs have been difficult to handle since they need to hand deliver to specific location, and they are copied for archiving. Some cases paper ECG has been missing. Changes to the current ECG method would the participants want to make it more accessible. Digital ECG would need to have the ability to archive the ECG digitally which would make them more accessible. In some cases, the current method of ECG was described sufficient since there was no knowledge of another method. Digital readiness was seen in a poor condition from nurses’ point of view, but there have been network and background systems constructions.
Research results showed that financial situation and possible training would be seen as a possible barrier that would impact the implementation of the digital ECG. There would be need to research the quantity of ECG taken that would be used in a project plan that would be presented for possible financing. There is a need for digital ECG since the physical archiving capacity is running low and construction of another physi-cal archive location is expensive.
Research results could be used in future projects to research the effectiveness and usefulness of the digital ECG when it has been successfully implemented.
The purpose of this thesis was to research the possibly to implement a paperless ECG to Niuvanniemi hospi-tal NEMO-unit. That would allow ECGs to be handled and stored digitally and would bring access to them from variety of locations throughout the hospital. The aim of the thesis was to find out was it possible at this state to begin the implementation and discover if there were any barriers. The research data would be used to gather information for future implementation and possibly bring the paperless ECG available to the entire hospital.
Research was conducted using semi-structured interview. Questions were created beforehand and send to the participants of the interview. Participants were invited to the interview. Two set of interviews were held where 5 people were interviewed. Interviews were recorded and after that transcribed. From transcription original expression were transformed to plain expression. Grouping was used to gather similarities together.
Research results indicated that current method of ECG was found outdated. Paper ECGs have been difficult to handle since they need to hand deliver to specific location, and they are copied for archiving. Some cases paper ECG has been missing. Changes to the current ECG method would the participants want to make it more accessible. Digital ECG would need to have the ability to archive the ECG digitally which would make them more accessible. In some cases, the current method of ECG was described sufficient since there was no knowledge of another method. Digital readiness was seen in a poor condition from nurses’ point of view, but there have been network and background systems constructions.
Research results showed that financial situation and possible training would be seen as a possible barrier that would impact the implementation of the digital ECG. There would be need to research the quantity of ECG taken that would be used in a project plan that would be presented for possible financing. There is a need for digital ECG since the physical archiving capacity is running low and construction of another physi-cal archive location is expensive.
Research results could be used in future projects to research the effectiveness and usefulness of the digital ECG when it has been successfully implemented.