Orchestrating Patient Flow: Designing a Holistic Healthcare App from Ground Zero
Healthcare
Transforming Patient Flow Management: From Grassroots to Digital Solution
The Patient Flow Management project began as a grassroots effort, relying on an unsecured shared Google spreadsheet to track patient care and discharge processes. While this method was functional at a small scale, it quickly became clear that it was not safe for keeping patient data and was insufficient for managing the complexity and volume of data required by hospital staff. The challenge was to design a comprehensive, scalable digital solution that could not only replicate but also enhance the functionality of the spreadsheet, making it usable for nurse managers and other healthcare professionals across multiple hospitals.
Platform: A Stand alone Python App
The app was conceived after extensive user research and detailed design.
Timeframe
March-June 2023
Responsibilities and Accomplishments
I interviewed stakeholders, nurse leaders, nurses, and case coordinators. I created iterative designs that evolved along with the interviews. Potential users approved final high-fidelity designs before developer handoff.
Laura Dahl, PhD, UX Primary researcher and designer
Problem Statement: The Patient Flow Management project needed to transition from a unsecured shared spreadsheet to a scalable digital solution that could manage the complexity and volume of patient data. The existing method was inefficient, delaying access to critical information needed to understand and support "patient flow" towards health and discharge. The new system had to provide real-time data and support nurse managers in their fast-paced workflows, ensuring quick access and updates to patient care details.
Process and Methodology
Initial Research and Design
The project started with extensive research, including access to the original Google spreadsheet and in-depth discussions with data analysts familiar with patient data. From this information, I designed the initial screens:
- Analytics View: Targeted at administrators to monitor patient flow metrics.
- Care Coordination View: Provided an overview of all patients on a hospital floor.
- Patient Data Input Form: Designed to mirror the spreadsheet, ensuring a smooth transition for users familiar with the old system.
Usability Testing and User Feedback
Following the development of these initial designs, I conducted usability testing sessions with healthcare professionals. It was during this phase that I discovered the primary users—nurse managers—were not adequately served by the initial designs. The nurse managers, who used the app during a one-hour daily meeting to discuss patient care, required a much more streamlined and efficient interface.
Understanding the User
To address this gap, I developed a primary persona for the nurse managers. This persona helped in understanding their specific needs:
- Time-Sensitive Workflows: During their morning meetings, nurse managers had approximately two minutes to discuss each patient, necessitating quick data retrieval and entry.
- Quick Information Access: A list view became essential, displaying key patient information at a glance for quick updates during meetings and in breakrooms.
- Streamlined Data Entry: I redesigned the data input forms into quick, modular forms, allowing for rapid updates without navigating through complex screens.
Iterative Redesign
Armed with this new understanding, I completely overhauled the initial designs:
- List View for Nurse Managers: This view was optimized for the fast-paced environment, ensuring that critical patient information was readily accessible.
- Interaction Flow: Redesigned to emphasize patient discharge, the app now guided users through a process that prioritized discharge-related actions.
- Hospital-Wide Communication Screens to Address Discharge Barriers: I introduced new features that facilitated communication across departments to identify and address barriers to discharge.
Outcome and Impact
The redesigned Patient Flow Management system delivered significant improvements:
- Efficiency Gains: Nurse managers can now update and access patient information more quickly, making better use of their time during crucial meetings.
- Improved Communication: The app's new features have enhanced cross-departmental communication, reducing barriers to patient discharge.
- User Adoption and Satisfaction: The tool has been widely adopted across hospitals, with users reporting high satisfaction due to the app’s usability and the efficiencies it introduced.