J Nurs Manag. 2026;2026(1):e3056495. doi: 10.1155/jonm/3056495.
ABSTRACT
AIM: To identify factors associated with usability and adoption of continuous monitoring with deterioration alerting systems (CM-DAS) in non-ICU wards from clinicians’ perspectives.
BACKGROUND: Patient deterioration is a safety concern on general wards; intermittent vital sign checks can miss early decline. CM-DAS can help, but impact depends on usability and clinician adoption, which remain variably achieved.
METHODS: Convergent mixed methods using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model to guide data collection: An online UTAUT-based survey (n = 111 clinicians, 20 countries; April-August 2023) and semistructured interviews (n = 10) were conducted. Quantitative data were analysed with nonparametric tests and composite PLS-SEM (3000 bootstraps); qualitative data underwent thematic analysis; findings were integrated narratively.
RESULTS: Perceived usefulness and ease of use were positively associated with the intention to adopt CM-DAS. In the multivariable PLS-SEM, only intention to use the system (β ˜ 0.29, p ˜ 0.01) and prior CM-DAS experience (β ˜ 0.28, p ˜ 0.01) were associated with routine bedside use; other constructs did not retain independent associations, and variance explained was modest (R2_use≈0.15). Interviews corroborated benefits (patient safety and workflow) and highlighted barriers-false alarms, reliability/connectivity issues, technical language/user interface and gaps in support and training. Peer practices and patient/family responses shaped the climate for adoption.
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that ensuring reliable infrastructure (signal stability, hospital Wi-Fi and integration with EHR) is foundational for safe and sustained CM-DAS operation. Routine use was most closely associated with clinicians’ intention to use the system and accumulated experience. Factors such as how easy a system is to use and how individuals perceived its usefulness strengthened an individual’s intention to use the system.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Management should prioritise reliable infrastructure, implement tiered alarm governance to reduce nonactionable alerts, designate ward super-users supported by vendor service-level agreements and deliver brief, recurring, practice-embedded training so that intention translates into sustained, safe bedside use.
PMID:41873534 | DOI:10.1155/jonm/3056495
