About the Project
When Bell University Laboratories at the University of Toronto wanted to design a multi-purpose point of care patient system, they recruited Healthcare Human Factors to ensure that the bedside terminal would meet the communication, information and entertainment needs of patients.
There are numerous potential advantages to providing technology at the bedside, including improved operational and clinical efficiencies, enhanced patient hospital stay experience, and reduction of adverse events by provision of educational content. Providing technology at the patient bedside may also allow for documentation of clinical information, increasing patient/clinician interaction, and consequently improving the quality of care delivered.
The team conducted a heuristic evaluation and usability study on the Bell bedside terminal prototype for patients, with a focus on the screen-flow and layout. Ten test participants interacted with the terminal in a simulated hospital room. The team provided recommendations based on the issues that were identified.
Wireframes were developed to improve and simplify screen designs
Original Subscription Screen Layout
- Recommended Subscription Screen Layout
Quotable
“It gives the patient a sense of autonomy and independence. It combines several different services with only one learning curve.”
- Usability Testing Participant