# Wireless patient monitoring and Efficacy Safety Score in postoperative treatment at the ward: evaluation of time consumption and usability

## TL;DR

This study evaluated how using wireless patient monitoring and a safety score affected time and care quality for postoperative patients, finding that it improved safety and reduced nurses' workload.

## Contribution

The study introduces a combined approach of wireless monitoring and a validated safety score in postoperative care, showing reduced time and improved nurse confidence.

## Key findings

- 92% of nurses reported increased patient safety and care quality with the new systems.
- Objective measurements showed time consumption was reduced to one-third compared to standard methods.
- 83% of nurses felt more confident using the systems, and 75% reported improved working conditions.

## Abstract

To evaluate objective time consumption and how nurses perceived introducing wireless patient monitoring (WPM) and a validated score on patient quality and safety, the Efficacy Safety Score (ESS), at a mixed surgery ward. After fulfilling a randomised controlled trial combining the ESS and WPM, we addressed time consumption and conducted a questionnaire survey among nurses who participated in the study. The questionnaire appraised the nurses’ evaluation of introducing these tools for postoperative management. Of 28 invited nurses, 24 responded to the questionnaire, and 92% reported the ESS and WPM-systems to increase patient safety and quality of care. 67% felt the intervention took extra time, but objective workload measurements revealed reduced time to 1/3 using ESS and WPM compared to standard manual assessment. Improved confidence when using the systems was reported by 83% and improved working situation by 75%. In a test situation to measure time consumption, the ESS and pre-attached WPM-systems require less time than the conventional standard of care, and may allow for more frequent clinical monitoring at the post-surgical ward. The combination of the ESS and the WPM systems was perceived as positive by participating nurses and further clinical development and research is warranted.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10877-023-01053-x.