User interface approaches implemented with automated patient deterioration surveillance tools: protocol for a scoping review

Abstract

Introduction: Early identification of patients who may suffer from unexpected adverse events (eg, sepsis, sudden cardiac arrest) gives bedside staff valuable lead time to care for these patients appropriately. Consequently, many machine learning algorithms have been developed to predict adverse events. However, little research focuses on how these systems are implemented and how system design impacts clinicians' decisions or patient outcomes. This protocol outlines the steps to review the designs of these tools.

Methods and analysis: We will use scoping review methods to explore how tools that leverage machine learning algorithms in predicting adverse events are designed to integrate into clinical practice. We will explore the types of user interfaces deployed, what information is displayed, and how clinical workflows are supported. Electronic sources include Medline, Embase, CINAHL Complete, Cochrane Library (including CENTRAL), and IEEE Xplore from 1 January 2009 to present. We will only review primary research articles that report findings from the implementation of patient deterioration surveillance tools for hospital clinicians. The articles must also include a description of the tool's user interface. Since our primary focus is on how the user interacts with automated tools driven by machine learning algorithms, electronic tools that do not extract data from clinical data documentation or recording systems such as an EHR or patient monitor, or otherwise require manual entry, will be excluded. Similarly, tools that do not synthesise information from more than one data variable will also be excluded. This review will be limited to English-language articles. Two reviewers will review the articles and extract the data. Findings from both researchers will be compared with minimise bias. The results will be quantified, synthesised and presented using appropriate formats.

Ethics and dissemination: Ethics review is not required for this scoping review. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.

Keywords: general medicine (see internal medicine); health informatics; intensive & critical care; internal medicine.