Development and Evaluation of Desktop and Web-Based Applications for Nutritional Intake Monitoring in Intensive Care Units: Usability and Workflow Efficiency

Abstract

Nutrition is an important factor in the recovery of critically ill patients and should be monitored to ensure optimal intake. Different types of applications can be used to assist in monitoring. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and implications on working practice of different types of applications for monitoring the nutrient intake of patients in hospitals. For this purpose, a desktop and a web application for nutrient intake monitoring were developed and deployed in a hospital at different points in time. The desktop application has been in use for a longer period, while the web application is still in the testing phase. A comparative observational study was conducted, in which ICU staff monitored nutrient intakeusing traditional non-assisted methods, the desktop application, and the web application. Task completion times, user satisfaction, and perceived effects on patient outcomes were recorded. Time-on-task data were collected by direct observation, while user feedback was obtained through structured surveys assessingacceptability, usability, and workflow integration. There were 8 respondents for the desktop and three for the web application. Both applications were well received by staff. The most important measurable result was a 25% reduction in task completion time with the desktop application compared to non-assisted monitoring, and an additional 6.6% reduction when using the web application compared to the desktopversion. Users reported no perceived impact on treatment outcomes. Both applications simplified nutrient intake management and proved useful in the ICU context, with the primary benefit being time efficiency rather than changes in patient recovery indicators.