Background
In this RISD, Brown, and RI Hospital collaboration class, my team and I shadowed a NICU resident doctor in search for a design opportunity to aid nurses in work efficiency. From our observation, we've identified that nurses perform blood draws (phlebotomy) on all infants accepted to the NICU. However, nurses have to collect the necessary tools from all over the NICU department.
Reflection
Shadowing the residents around the NICU, going in and out of patient rooms and surgery rooms made me feel how a product I design with my team could become a part of the big system that saves people. It gave me the courage to stepped up and led the team in research and field observations.
We held workshops to prototype and develop the product together, and came up with a Portable Phlebotomy Kit for the NICU nurses.
We held workshops to prototype and develop the product together, and came up with a Portable Phlebotomy Kit for the NICU nurses.
The infant incubators are not big enough for nurses to work on. In order to draw blood, nurses have to softly hold down the baby with one hand and use the other to use the phlebotomy tools.
On top of that, there is no visible place to put all the tools on the incubator so nurses stuff their scrub pockets for the tools.
On top of that, there is no visible place to put all the tools on the incubator so nurses stuff their scrub pockets for the tools.
Also observing how nurses make several stops to pick up the tools before reaching the infant, we realize a kit that;
1. contains the phlebotomy tools, and 2. creates a bigger workspace to nurses was most necessary.
1. contains the phlebotomy tools, and 2. creates a bigger workspace to nurses was most necessary.
We created Portable Phlebotomy Kit (PPK) to reduce the time nurses spent collecting the tools. It keeps the needed supplies organized by the infant's bedside, without compromising the infant's bed space. The PPK attaches securely next to the bed frame by clipping onto the frame, freeing up the incubator from clutter.
Outcome
The Portable Phlebotomy Kit (PPK) won first place out of four other contestants. The judges noted how this product can be easily and almost immediately implemented to the field. They also appreciated how we saw a discomfort that the nurses themselves overlooked and created a scenario in which all nurses, patient, and the patient's family would be happy with.