Abstract
BACKGROUND: Outdated communication technologies in healthcare can place patient safety at risk. This study aimed to evaluate implementation of the WhatsApp messaging service within emergency surgical teams.
METHODS: A prospective mixed-methods study was conducted in a London hospital. All emergency surgery team members (n = 40) used WhatsApp for communication for 19 weeks. The initiator and receiver of communication were compared for response times and communication types. Safety events were reported using direct quotations.
RESULTS: More than 1,100 hours of communication pertaining to 636 patients were recorded, generating 1,495 communication events. The attending initiated the most instruction-giving communication, whereas interns asked the most clinical questions (P <.001). The resident was the speediest responder to communication compared to the intern and attending (P <.001). The participants felt that WhatsApp helped flatten the hierarchy within the team.
CONCLUSIONS: WhatsApp represents a safe, efficient communication technology. This study lays the foundations for quality improvement innovations delivered over smartphones.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 45-51 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | American Journal of Surgery |
| Volume | 209 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2015 |
Keywords
- Cell Phones
- Emergency Medical Services
- General Surgery
- Humans
- Interprofessional Relations
- Mobile Applications
- Patient Care Team
- Patient Safety
- Prospective Studies
- Time Factors