Improvement of patient alarms at Region Skåne

Abstract: This industrial design bachelor project aimed to improve the functionality of patient alarm systems in hospitals across the Skåne region. The project was conducted through nurse surveys, interviews with patients and nurses, as well as research into inclusive and universal design. The research found that there were three main problems with the current alarm systems. The primary issue was an abundance of false emergency alarms, which caused unnecessary stress and fatiguefor healthcare providers. The second issue was a lack of flexibility and accessibility in the alarm system design, which made it difficult for different departments to adapt the system to their specific needs. Finally, there was a problem with hygiene and hardware longevity, as the alarm systems were difficult to clean and prone to wear and tear. To address these issues, the project developed a product family consisting of both add-on products and a redesigned alarm device. The products offered different solutions to the three main problems, enabling different departments to tailor the solutions to their specific situation. For example, some departments have a lot of false emergency alarms which might require a completely new alarm button with tactile, auditory and visual feedback, to reduce the number of false alarms. Other departments that have patients with mobility issues might however only need to implement the solutions for flexibility and accessibility. The final results of the project were satisfactory, and the final usability test was successful. The new alarm system design was well received by both patients and healthcare providers, who found it easier to use and more reliable than the previous system. The project demonstrated that an inclusive and universal design approach can significantly improve the functionality of patient alarm systems in hospitals, which can ultimately lead to better patient outcomes and a safer healthcare environment for both patients and healthcare providers.