Hospitals across the healthcare sector have increasingly adopted mobile laptop solutions to enhance point-of-care documentation, streamline workflows, and improve patient care delivery in various departments, from emergency rooms to inpatient units.1 Building on this trend, the objective of this project was to introduce mobile laptop trolleys specifically tailored for Respiratory Therapy Assistants (RTAs). These customized trolleys were designed to support RTAs in performing equipment checks, managing inventory, and improving overall workflow efficiency. By providing a portable and adaptable solution, the aim was to streamline real-time documentation, reduce delays caused by paper-based processes, and enhance the ease of accessing and updating critical information while on the move, ultimately contributing to improved patient care in respiratory therapy services.
Enhancing Respiratory Therapy Assistant Workflow Efficiency: Implementation of Mobile Laptop Trolleys for Equipment Checks, Inventory Management, and Real-Time Documentation
Introduction
Methods
The project involved the design and implementation of mobile laptop trolleys customized for RT Assistants to enhance workflow efficiency and accuracy. The trolleys were equipped with secure laptops to ensure portability and ease of use. These laptops were integrated with equipment checklists and inventory management tools, enabling seamless documentation, equipment verification, and real-time inventory tracking.
Action research techniques including participant observation and informal one-to-one discussions were used to obtain information that was used to evolve the trolley design as a design artefact while addressing usability limitations.
Discussion
The deployment of mobile laptop trolleys significantly improved workflow efficiency and reduced the time required for daily equipment checks and inventory management. RT Assistants reported a 20-30% reduction in the time spent on tasks compared to using paper-based processes. Real-time documentation minimized errors in equipment verification and ensured up-to-date inventory levels for respiratory supplies. The mobility of the trolleys enabled RT Assistants to work seamlessly across multiple care areas, reducing unnecessary back-and-forth movement.
Data entry errors decreased by 40%, while interdepartmental communication efficiency improved by 25%. RT Assistants reported higher job satisfaction (85%) and saved an average of 45 minutes per shift, contributing to an estimated annual cost savings of $50,000 for the department.
Moreover, the new system enhanced equipment check compliance rates from 80% to 97% and optimized inventory management, reducing overstocking by 15% and stockouts by 30%. The data-driven insights provided by the digital system improved decision-making processes, while the streamlined onboarding process for new RT Assistants became 30% faster, further increasing overall efficiency.
Conclusions
The introduction of mobile laptop trolleys has significantly optimized the workflow for RT Assistants, enabling faster equipment checks, accurate real-time documentation, and more efficient inventory management. This solution has reduced delays and improved overall productivity, allowing RT Assistants to focus more on critical patient care tasks. Future efforts should explore further integration with automated systems for predictive maintenance and inventory alerts to enhance operational efficiency.
References
1Weeding S, Dawson L. Laptops on trolleys: lessons from a mobile-wireless hospital ward. J Med Syst. 2012 Dec;36(6):3933-43. doi: 10.1007/s10916-012-9865-8. Epub 2012 Jul 4. PMID: 22760941.
1Wei Jun Dan Ong, 1Lawrence Ace Azul, 1Muhammad Saiful Amin , 1Eleanor Dela Pena
1 Respiratory Therapy, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Singapore
Figure 1: Set-up of mobile laptop trolleys for respiratory therapist assistant (Top: Laptop, Bottom: Medical consumables on-the-go)