Interviews

Background Info

We interviewed a General Care Nurse at an inpatient medical-surgical unit to receive more feedback about the solutions proposed by the team.

The information gathered was crucial, since the people checking in into the unit are of very different ages (from 18 to over a 100 years old) and with conditions of very distinct complexities, giving us a wider case-study.

We were told that there were not enough medical staff to guarantee quality and safe care was given to the increasing number of incoming patients. There was also a significant number of cases where the patient would ask to be kept in-hospital well after being given medical discharge, due to lack of support or monitoring at home.

Key Insights

• Vital signs to monitor: heart-rate, temperature, blood oxygen level, blood pressure, pain level, and fall risk
• Blood pressure sensor implementation is the most challenging
• Potential to reduce healthcare associated infections (HCAIs)
• Could help free up beds for incoming patients
• Monitoring should not add to staff workload

Background Info

The team had the opportunity to speak to another General Care Nurse. Their work consists mainly in providing hygiene and basic care for the patients, therapeutics, diet and dressings management and respective administration, along with checking and monitoring the patient's vitals.

Just as the first interviewee, we were informed that there were not enough staff to assure that safe care was given, both for the patient and the professional. The staff work overtime on a daily basis and are constantly stressed.

Regarding low-risk patients, there are cases of longer hospital stays than medically advised for a different number of reasons: worsening of comorbidities, adverse reactions to certain medication or even a deficient diet.

Key Insights

• Essential vitals: temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, pain level
• Real-time monitoring could enable earlier intervention
• Potential to reduce HCAIs through earlier discharge
• Must include fall risk monitoring
• Data interpretation should not be staff responsibility

Background Info

We spoke with a General Care Nurse at a medical-surgical in-patient unit whose job warrants continuous care and clinical surveillance of the patients, medication and care plans management and consequent implementation, but also offering support both to the patients and their families during the hospitalization process.

It was confirmed to us, once more, that medical staff is constantly overwhelmed with the number of incoming patients. This scarcity is mostly related to the decreasing number of nurses and medical assistants, which compromises the quality of care given.

There's also a number of patients who end up with longer hospital stays for a variety of reasons: the patient does not have the adequate support system at home; a number of medical exams that could be performed on an outpatient basis are requested while still hospitalized; or even the need for intravenous antibiotic therapy, which could be carried out at home with "home hospitalization".

Key Insights

• Vitals monitored: heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, temperature, respiratory rate, pain level
• Monitoring frequency: three times daily or more
• Additional factors: consciousness, nutrition, bowel comfort
• Potential for faster discharge of stable patients
• Could improve hospital bed management

Background Info

The team spoke with an Informal Caregiver to obtain specific feedback regarding the usefulness of the vest and application inside the household. We were told they're responsible for the family member's medication, diet and care plan, but are also in charge of transportation and helping with hygiene and daily activities.

One of their biggest concerns when their family member gets discharged from the hospital, aside from potential falls, is the possibility of them developing any complications that could be avoided through earlier detection and intervention.

Key Insights

• Vitals measured: heart rate, blood oxygen level, blood pressure, temperature
• Would feel safer with constant monitoring
• SOS button and fall detection are most valuable features
• Could help catch unnoticed health issues
• Provides peace of mind for caregivers

Background Info

We interviewed a professor and researcher with a PhD in nursing to understand which functions were most relevant to implement and to receive feedback on the relevance of our project.

One of the most significant points brought up was the importance of sweat secretion and blood glucose detection and a blood pressure sensor for this project. The group concluded that, even though these are useful, they aren't relevant considering the logistics of the prototype, with the blood pressure sensor being the most important of the three if it could be implemented.

Key Insights

• Vitals monitored: heart rate, blood oxygen level, blood pressure, temperature
• Even though relevant, sweat secretion and blood glucose detection and a blood pressure sensor shouldn't be implemented in this project