Phase I: To-do list WorksheetRequirements Phase

Problem: Nurses are highly mobile and use a variety of cheatsheets (paper, napkins, silk tape)to help them organize their tasks and jot down notes . Current mobile electronic devices are not yet suitable.Recopying meds is especially time consuming and error prone.

Requirements: Nurses need a lightweight, mobile, pocket-sized reference view that displays key scheduled tasks (i.e. medications) and restrictions (diet, activity) which can be modified and annotated in real-time to reflect information not yet in the computer (i.e time for pain reassessment) – Currently the best “device” is a computer enhanced pre-printed paper worksheet. The worksheet should be limited to key tasks should not be designed to replace the full computer view. Based on feedback from current staff - worksheet should include at a minimum:

  1. Show Currently assigned 4-6 patients by nurse on 1 sheet of paper
  2. Patient ID: First Name, Last Initial; MR#; Room/Bed
  3. Be organized in 1 hour blocks from 7a-7p or 7p-7a to allow notes in each block
  4. Display meds known at start of shift display in appropriate hour block
  5. Display current diet and activity level
  6. Have a blank area for unscheduled tasks and other key info

Phase I would be implemented for3 months -- existing worksheets would be collected and analyzed to inform the next phase development . Feedback from nurses would be solicited as well via formal survey mechanisms. Sample below of current handwritten worksheet with transcribed meds that has informed this work.


Sample Prototype - - - - - are fold lines

Entries that are in this font reflect hand entered Entries in this font have been pre-populated.

Yellow highlighters or colored pens may be used to show important reminders

Joe S - bed 01 / Mary J - Bed 03 / Pete M – bed 04 / Sonya S.- bed 06
MR12345678 / MR12345679 / MR12345680 / MR12345681
Activity / activity-out of bed to chair tid w/assist / OOB / Encourage amb. / Activity
Diet / Diabetic, fluid Restrict / NPO Clear Liquids 1p / Regular / Renal Diet / Diet
7:00 / Insulin / Med / IV rate change to 35/h / 7:00
8:00 / 8:00
9:00 / tylenol for HA / 9:00
10:00 / reasasses pain / Pain=8 Percocet / 10:00
Ampicillin DC / tobramycin / Vancomycin / Cipro
Gentamycin / Pepcid / Pepcid
11:00 / Med - new V.O. / Reassess /Pain=2 / 11:00
12:00 / Insulin / BP 132/60 p=88 / 12:00
13:00 / 13:00
14:00 / Walked 50 feet / 14:00
15:00 / IV Removed / 15:00
16:00 / 16:00
17:00 / Enzymes / 17:00
18:00 / 18:00
Unscheduled to -do's / Labs, Immunization, Advance Directive, / Start IV, Pre-op checklist / D/C IV, Discharge Teaching / clean catch micro, Draw vanco peak
Other / OR scheduled 9a
Joe S - bed 01 / Mary J - Bed 03 / Pete M – bed 04 / Sonya S.- bed 06