Exploring Methods of Visualizing Laboratorial Data in ...

Exploring Methods of Visualizing Laboratorial Data in Electronic Medical Record Systems Yaron Denekamp, M.D., M.Sc.1,2,3, Reut Lutski, M.D3, Michal Ronen, B.A.4, Noemi Bitterman, D.Sc., M.Sc.1,4 1

Galil Center for Medical Informatics, 2Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, 3Department of Medicine, Carmel Medical Center, 4Industrial Design, Faculty of Architecture, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Abstract Physicians in their daily practice are exposed to To ensure full similarity between the 3 scenarios vast amount of laboratorial data in electronic we designed a validation phase in the beginning medical record (EMR) systems, that should be of the data acquisition phase of the study. 4) We taken into account in the clinical decision designed and developed an EMR user interface making process. The aim of this study is to for presenting the 3 clinical cases in an EMR explore the impact of different methods of format. We then developed a unique user visualizing laboratorial data on physicians’ interface for each of the 3 laboratorial data ability to perform common tasks related to visualization methodologies. 6) We developed a processing laboratorial data. For this end, we set of questions for measuring performance of developed an innovative computerized system the 2 tasks in terms of time and accuracy. We based on a set of methods that we used. incorporated a computer integrated hidden tracking program in the study’s system that Introduction Exhaustive display of laboratorial data can easily measures the time and accuracy parameters. We overwhelm the ability of physicians to used MS-Visual Basic programming language to comprehend this data, and reduce their ability to implement all the components mentioned. 7) detect trends in a reliable and timely manner. A Simultaneously all participants are equipped variety of methods have been proposed for with miniature sensors that transmit wirelessly a laboratorial data visualization in EMR systems. continuous recording of physiological However, little has been done to scientifically parameters representing stress and anxiety (heart compare between these methods. rate, breathing pattern, upper limb electromyography, skin resistance and peripheral Methods and materials Following is a consecutive description of the temperature). These physiologic parameters methods we used: 1) We identified 2 common serve as a performance measurement taking into tasks related to employing laboratorial data in account its limitations1. We also follow the EMR systems - a) Evaluation of a group of participants by recording their actions using a laboratory values that are related to each other in digital video camera to detect and analyze their a certain clinical context e.g. evaluating anemia reactions and find correlations to changes in related lab values in the context of investigating physiologic parameters (e.g. changes in the cause of anemia. b) Evaluation of the physiologic parameters may be explained by temporal pattern of a single laboratory value e.g. movements etc.). the temporal changes of the hemoglobin level. 2) Summary We selected to study 3 methods of presenting The computerized system we developed enables laboratorial data in EMR systems: Two to measure several performance parameters of commonly used tables and timeline graphs, and executing tasks related to visualizing laboratorial graphic integrated display that enables detection data in EMR systems. We recruited 30 resident of changes from baseline conditions at a brief physicians for the experiment in addition to 20 glance. 3) Since the statistical analysis is based physicians for the validation phase described on repetitive measures of each participant using above. We are now acquiring the data of the ANOVA we created three case scenarios. We study and will shortly have results. We believe have chosen Syncope as the clinical problem that this study will help to better understand the presented in all 3 models since it is a common appropriate methodology of visualizing clinical problem encountered by many laboratorial data in EMR systems. physicians in several medical settings. We References created a framework for the clinical data items 1. Ward, R.D. and P.H. Marsden, Physiological using MS-Excel in order to end up with 3 similar responses to different WEB page designs. Int. J syncope cases in terms of length and complexity. Human-Computer Studies, 2003. (59) 199–212.

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