Focused on People-Centred Design

Shuai Li / Anna Gebala / Rafaela Stillner / Sonya Swan

My role: Form exploration, Sketching, Prototyping, CAD, Rendering, Model making, Process video

In collaboration with Getinge

10-week project

10. 2020 - 01. 2021

_ Early Mobilization in The ICU

Early Mobilization (EM) is essential for a patient’s physical and mental recovery in the Intensive Care Unit. Even though mobilization can decrease the patient’s hospital stay by 50%, it’s not a standard routine in ICU today. Mainly because it takes a lot of time and requires multiple staff, who also needs the right knowledge.

The solution is EMI - a system enabling a simplified Early Mobilization experience by improving the cable organization, wireless patient monitoring (Monitoring Unit, ECG, SPO2, NIBP), and guidance (Projector with IR camera). The EMI software gathers all information about the patient and creates a patient-tailored mobilization plan for fast and effective recovery in the ICU.


“ After a while in the ICU I hated just lying in bed, the bed becomes like a prison…”

- ICU patient

WHY Early Mobilization?

Early mobilization refers to physical activity performed within the first 72 h of a critical illness.

It minimizes the complications of bed rest & decreases the hospital length of stay.

positive recovery outlook

decrease hospital cost

decrease length of stay in ICU and hospital

decrease incidence of delirium

improve patient functions

improve overall strength & endurance

HOW Early Mobilization?

Patient journey

Early mobilization refers to physical activity performed within the first 72 h of a critical illness. It has several benefits for both the patients and the hospital staff as it minimizes the complications of prolonged time in bed and decreases the hospital's length of stay.

What are the problems when doing Early Mobilization?

Stakeholder: Patient

Ulcers from lack of movement and cables

Limited movement by the cables

Requires individual approach

Lack of patient motivation

Stakeholders: ICU nurse / Physical therapist / ICU doctor

Tangled and disconnected cables & catheters

Lack of communication & knowledge about EM

Requires a lot of staff

HOW MIGHT WE

“Enhance the process and experience of early mobilization in the ICU, to improve the patient healing?”


EMI

A system enabling a simplified Early Mobilization experience including wireless monitoring, guidance and tailored system.

Have a look at our concept video of EMI

01 _ Wireless Patient Monitoring

The EMI monitoring unit improves the cable organization and enables wireless monitoring of the patient. When mobilization starts, the monitoring unit can be safely disconnected from the power and network outlet and maintained fully functional. Because of this, the patient can move easier and feel free. It also helps the staff focus more on the patient and doesn’t need to spend time taking care of tangled cables or worrying about cable disconnection.

02 _Visual Guidance

The EMI projector includes an IR camera and projector and it is fixed on the ceiling in the ICU. The flexible projector ball can toward to patient’s bed or the ceiling to guide medical staff, relatives or even patients themselves to do early mobilization depending on the patient’s healing situation.

Breathing exercises

Guide the patient to the right breathing rhythm and counting the rounds.

Motivating patient

Increase the motivation and make the training more fun.

Relax mode

Provide the patient with a cosy and safe atmosphere during the night.

03 _ EMI Software

The software simplifies patient planning and decision-making among staff. It also gives an overview of the patient's progress and reminders about Early Mobilization to help minimize pressure wounds. The software follows the patient through the whole recovery process, even when back home doing physical therapy.


The research during the COVID pandemic

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