The Effect of Scale of Technology Updates on Workflow Disruptions: A Scoping Review

In healthcare, technology upgrades can lead to varying degrees of workflow disruptions that require workers to adapt their practices. These upgrades range from minor updates such as software patches to major transitions like the adoption of electronic health records. While substantial changes have been the primary focus of prior research, minor yet more frequent changes are often overlooked despite their potential to disrupt workflows and reduce efficiency. This scoping review synthesizes existing literature to examine the impact of technological change across different scales, including major, moderate, and minor, on clinical efficiency, workflow disruptions, and the resulting adaptation challenges. We introduce a categorization framework to systematically differentiate these levels of change and their respective impacts. The analysis integrates quantitative metrics such as time delays, error rates, and productivity shifts along with qualitative accounts of staff adaptation strategies. The review aims to identify patterns in workflow disruption and adaptive responses while highlighting gaps in existing research. Our findings will inform systems-based strategies to design and implement technology updates with minimal disruption to clinical workflows and improved adaptability in healthcare settings.