HyPR Device: Mobile Support for Hybrid Patient Records

The patient record is one of the central artifacts in medical work that is used to organize, communicate and coordinate important information related to patient care. In many hospitals a double record consisting of an electronic and paper part is maintained. This practice introduces a number of configuration problems related to finding, using and aligning the paper and electronic patient record. In this paper, we describe the exploration into the Hybrid Patient Record (HyPR) concept. Based on design requirements derived from a field study, followed by a design study using a technology probe, we introduce the HyPR Device, a device that merges the paper and electronic patient record into one system. We provide results from a clinical simulation with eight clinicians and discuss the functional, design and infrastructural requirements of such hybrid patient records. Our study suggests that the HyPR device decreases configuration work, supports mobility in clinical work and increases awareness on patient data.