METAPHOR GRAPHICS TO SUPPORT INTEGRATED DECISION-MAKING WITH RESPIRATORY DATA

Support for data integration in the intensive care unit (ICU) often in cludes efforts to improve the display of data. An electronic version o f a flowsheet (table of numbers) with optional line graphs is by far t he most common format in current ICU computer workstation technology, yet there is little evidence that this format provides particularly go od support for human integration of data. The present work introduces a new form of graphic representation, one that is far more metaphoric, far more tailored to the intensive care unit than a line graph. This graphic system, called volume rectangles represents mechanical ventila tor data in such a way that it is easy to keep different types of vari ables conceptually separated, yet easy to see how they relate in a tru ly intregated way. Volume rectangles arc one example of a general appr oach to display of data called the methaphor graphic approach, which i s being evaluated in this and other contexts. Metaphor graphics are cu stom tailored visual displays designed to look like the real world sit uation from which the data is collected hut not in a literal sense of 'look like'. Anecdotal observation suggests that such graphics are eas y to learn, are remembered over long periods, and are good decision su pport tools when the task is finding patterns in a mass of data.