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.