Impact of Computerization on Direct and Indirect Nursing Time

병원전산화에 따른 직접 및 간접간호 양상의 변화

The purpose of this study was to examine impact of hospital computerization on the nursing practice. The study was conducted using the repeated measured design. The subjects were 166 nurses working at surgical nursing care units in a tertiary teaching hospital. A questionnaire was developed based on the Burke's study, and reviewed by a committee for content validity. Eighty-eight nurses responded the questionnaire throughout the study. Indirect nursing care time significantly decreased(p<0.05) after the computerization. These decrease related to time saving in checking physicians' order and writing nursing records. However, the change in direct nursing care time was not clear. In conclusion, the computerization led to the decrease in indirect nursing care time but it did not link to increase in direct nursing care time. Therefore, nurse managers should take into account redesign of the nursing works after computerization.