Smart Phone App eMediCall™ Usability and its Impact on the Clinical Communication among Nursing Home Healthcare Providers and Nurses

Background: Accurate and timely interprofessional communication is a prerequisite for safe patient management in the nursing homes (NH). Traditional methods of communication are often considered inadequate. The use of smart phone applications has transformed many areas of clinical practice but there is paucity of literature addressing use of smart phone applications in NH setting. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of eMediCall™, a smartphone application (app), by eliciting perceptions of healthcare providers (HCP) and nurses on usability and clinical communication in nursing homes (NH). Methods: We conducted a quality improvement project using questionnaire survey to elicit perceptions of efficacy of eMediCall™ app use in improving communication between HCP and nurses at three nursing homes in Maryland. Data was analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and Factor analysis was used to assess the dimensionality and internal construct validity of the eMediCall™ efficacy scale developed for this study. Frequency distribution of survey item responses from the two respondent groups were compared using Fisher’s exact test. Results: Fifty-one staff members (33 nurses and 18 HCPs) completed the survey. Factor analysis revealed two conceptual factors influencing survey responses: usability and clinical communication (correlation coefficient = 0.67). Conclusion: Nurses were more likely to agree that eMediCall TM messages removes barriers to language. HCPs reported that the app reduced frustration related to unclear communication. Both agreed that the app enhanced clinical communication, and facilitated provision of patientcare. Asynchronous communication using smartphone app such as eMediCall™ can have a positive impact on perceptions of nurse-HCP communication.