Highlights: ? Variations in surgical patient trajectories are poorly supported in hospital information systems. ? The needs increase drastically when patient trajectories do not unfold according to plan. ? Connecting plans and trajectories allows for more proactive approaches to coordination.Abstract: Introduction: In surgical work there is a need for ‘continuous planning’ among staff to handle the frequently occurring variations from the planned patient treatment. In this paper, we present how three hospital information systems have support for three common patient trajectory variations.Purpose: Highlight how deviations from a plan cause different information needs and implications for design of awareness supporting computer systems.Methods: Participant observations and semi-str….