Impact of Healthcare Technology on Nursing Workflow Efficiency: A Cross-Sectional Study
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Background: Digital healthcare technologies may improve nursing documentation, information access, and communication, although poor usability, technical interruptions, and inadequate implementation support can disrupt clinical workflow. Objective: To assess perceived nursing workflow efficiency associated with healthcare technology use and identify demographic, technological, and organisational factors independently associated with workflow efficiency. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 185 registered nurses working in medical and surgical wards of two governmental hospitals in Multan, Pakistan. Participants completed a structured questionnaire assessing workflow efficiency, technology usability, training adequacy, technical-support availability, and perceived technology-related outcomes. Data were analysed descriptively and using multiple linear regression. Results: The mean workflow-efficiency score was 3.59 ± 0.75, and 130 nurses (70.3%) reported high or very high efficiency. The most frequently reported improvements were reduced documentation time (63.8%), improved access to patient information (63.2%), and enhanced teamwork and communication (59.5%). Technical interruptions (50.8%), navigation difficulties (44.3%), and inadequate training (39.5%) were common barriers. Workflow efficiency was positively associated with technology user-friendliness (β = 0.261; p < 0.001), training adequacy (β = 0.243; p = 0.023), and technical-support availability (β = 0.184; p = 0.006), and inversely associated with age (β = −0.223; p = 0.035). Conclusion: Nurses generally perceived healthcare technology as beneficial to workflow, but its effective integration was associated with system usability, adequate training, and accessible technical support
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