Informational ecology and care workers: Safety alarm systems in Finnish elderly-care organizations

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Melkas, Helinä

Affiliations: Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lahti School of Innovation, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland. Tel.: +358 40 588 1400; Fax: +358 3 876 9133; E-mail: helina.melkas@lut.fi

Abstract: Objective: This article explores the use of information and communication technologies including safety alarm technologies and their impacts on elderly-care organizations' informational ecology, or internal information environment. Results are reported from a case study on the use of safety telephones and high-tech well-being wristbands that monitor vital signs in Finnish elderly-care organizations. Participants and methods: Data collection involved human impact assessment methodologies including interviews and longer-term assessment processes among 78 care workers at 8 workplaces offering sheltered accommodation. The assessment results were analyzed qualitatively, also with the help of the concept of information quality. Results and conclusions}: Changes in the informational ecology were identified; informational ecology in a care unit is in many ways affected by technology use. The human impact assessment methodologies and the topic of information quality offered useful and novel points of view about daily care work in increasingly technological environments.

Keywords: Care work, impact assessment, informational ecology, information quality, safety alarm systems

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2010-1060

Journal: Work, vol. 37, no. 1, pp. 87-97, 2010