Acute care cognitive aids (ACCAs) are tools used by clinicians to deliver emergent treatment to patients with acute medical problems. ACCA tools have traditionally included manuals, checklists, protocols and other written documentation. Today’s digital technology, including tablets and smartphones, promises faster access and better outcomes.
There is growing interest in these ACCAs as clinicians confront the increasing number and complexity of medical critical care and non-critical care protocols and algorithms. Clinicians are required to perform algorithm-driven medical tasks with a high degree of accuracy under highly stressful scenarios. The rapid paced critical care environment does not allow practitioners time to review or refresh their memory of these algorithms. The critical nature of these events prohibits the use of textbooks, the Internet, journals and other traditional cognitive aids. Rapid access to this information is critical.
Currently there are approximately 25-plus critical, semi-critical and pediatric care algorithms in common use. The algorithms...
