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My diploma project brief was to design a medical product serving the purpose of patient monitoring system. The objective was to generate the product range to cater to the different levels of complexities and segments and to the futuristic needs of patient monitoring system. Three categories of products were developed for preparation, work and storage zone, which were flexible enough to accommodate functional and spatial changes according to the hospital activities so as to improve its marketability. I recommended the use of advanced materials like ‘Rehau Tambour’ (mineral plastic) and stainless steel to make the design more futuristic, soft, and hygienic to suit the hospital environment. I started my work with brainstorming and visualization. My next steps were direct observations and task analysis, under which I prepared activity charts, considered physical and cognitive ergonomics, and carried out hierarchical task analysis for identifying frequency and priority of activities, and multitasking as well as the possibilities of stresses and errors. Different work postures were also studied from the view points of its possible effects. I interviewed nurses, doctors and patients to get the insights. These were conducted in ICU, emergency and general wards, inpatients rooms, etc. Based on the above studies, I mapped out the opportunities, developed design guidelines and started creating concepts of work desk, preparation desk, storage unit, and medicine trolley. Designs and detailing were finalized with due consideration of Indian anthropometric dimensions. The entire experience of working with different team members at every level including brainstorming was an eye opener for me which gave birth to a diverse perspective vision for designing of the patient monitoring hub. |
