Agartee Technology Inc. Patient Data Management App
Project information
- ROLEUX/UI Designer
- TEAMProduct Manager, Engineer
- TIMELINEMarch 2023 - Present
- TOOLSFigma, Notation, Canva, Lucidchart
- KEY SKILLSUX Research, Prototyping, Usability Testing, Iterative Design
- PARTNERSHIPSNursing home facilities across Ontario, Canada
- Try the Prototype
Introduction
As the sole designer for this project, my contributions encompassed all aspects of the design process, from initial research and information architecture to UI design and interaction design. I collaborated closely with the product manager to refine the project scope and maintained consistent communication with stakeholders throughout the development lifecycle.
Project Overview
This project delivered an application for managing patient health data at Agartee Technology, enhancing patient safety and care coordination across their network of over 40 Ontario nursing homes. The application provides authorized personnel with secure, real-time access to comprehensive patient health data via a user-friendly interface.
Problem Statement
The Agartee Patient Data Management App is designed to help nurses and healthcare professionals quickly log and manage patient vitals and prescriptions. However, during early testing, users struggled with usability issues, which could lead to data entry errors and inefficiencies in real-world scenarios. To ensure accuracy, efficiency, and ease of use, I led an iterative design process based on user testing feedback.
Challenges Faced
- Nurse Interview Difficulties: Ineffective initial interview methods hindered the accurate gathering of nurse requirements.
- Real-time Data Accuracy: Ensuring the accuracy and real-time availability of patient health data presented a significant challenge.
- System Integration: Achieving seamless integration with existing nursing home infrastructure and workflows was crucial.
- Cost Justification: Demonstrating a clear return on investment (ROI) to buyers was essential.
- Stakeholder Alignment: Aligning the needs of all stakeholders throughout development required careful coordination.
Solutions
- Improved Interview Techniques: Implementing more effective interview methods led to a better understanding of nurse needs.
- Robust Data Architecture: A secure and scalable system ensured accurate, real-time data access.
- User-Friendly Design: An intuitive interface facilitated easy adoption and usage among end-users.
- Comprehensive Training & Support: Providing thorough training and ongoing support ensured user success.
1. Research Objectives:
- Understand User Needs: Identify the specific needs, workflows, and pain points of key user groups, including nurses, buyers, pharmacists, and distributors.
- Enhance Data Collection: Discover opportunities to automate data collection processes and improve data accuracy.
- Design for Security and Efficiency: Ensure that the system’s design supports secure and efficient access to patient data for authorized personnel.
2. Research Methodology:
- Semi-structured Interviews: Open-ended interviews were conducted with representatives from each user group (nurses, buyers, pharmacists, distributors). Each interview lasted 30-60 minutes and was audio-recorded for detailed analysis. The focus was on exploring user experiences, workflows, and pain points related to existing systems and data access.
- Surveys & Questionnaires: Surveys were administered to buyers, pharmacists, and distributors to gather quantitative data on their priorities and preferences. Initial attempts to survey nurses yielded mixed results, leading to a shift towards observational research for this user group.
- Observational Research: Direct observation of nurses in their work environment provided valuable insights into their daily workflows, challenges, and interactions with existing patient data systems. This proved crucial in understanding the practical realities of data access and integration within the nursing home setting.
3. User Segmentation & Personas:
- Buyers: Decision-makers responsible for purchasing and implementing the system. Key concerns included cost, ROI, and system integration.
- Nurses: Primary users responsible for direct patient care. Their needs centered on ease of use, real-time data access, and seamless integration with existing workflows.
- Pharmacists: Responsible for managing medication records. Their primary need was accurate and readily accessible medication data.
- Distributors: Responsible for ensuring the reliable availability and functionality of the devices. Their focus was on supply chain management and technical support.
Defining Personas:
Key Findings:
- Nurses: Experienced difficulties integrating new systems into their existing workflows and highlighted the need for real-time, accurate data access.
- Buyers: Expressed concerns about the system's cost and the potential return on investment.
- Pharmacists: Emphasized the need for accurate and reliable medication tracking capabilities.
- Distributors: Highlighted the importance of a reliable supply chain and responsive technical support.
Developing Features that Satisfy Users and Business Objectives:
The final features of the application were designed to meet the needs of both users and the business, resulting in increased engagement, customer retention, and revenue. A Venn diagram illustrating the overlap between user needs and business objectives can be included here.
Influence of Personas on Design Decisions :
- Quick Access to Patient Data: Designed an intuitive interface with minimal navigation steps for efficient access to real-time patient information.
- User-Friendly Dashboard: Implemented a central dashboard that displays critical patient data at a glance, reducing time spent searching.
- Streamlined Workflow: Integrated features that align with existing nursing workflows to enhance ease of use and minimize disruption.
- Data Accuracy and Validation: Included robust data validation features to ensure the accuracy of patient records and alerts for discrepancies.
User Flow:
Agartee's user flow prioritizes ease of use. Users log in, search for patients, and manage their data. A clear path guides them to create new patient records if needed, with built-in error handling for a seamless experience.
Overview:
This wireframe illustrates the user interface design for Agartee Technology Inc.'s Patient Data Management App, specifically tailored for nursing homes. The app aims to optimize the management of patient information, ensuring that caregivers and healthcare professionals can efficiently access and update resident data.
Overview:
Visual consistency encompasses the uniformity of design elements such as colors, typography, and component styles. In the context of our Patient Data Management app, this consistency is essential for creating an interface that feels familiar and reliable, ultimately improving user engagement and satisfaction.
Key Findings:
In our continuous effort to enhance the user experience within the Agartee Patient Data Management app, I made a significant discovery regarding the accessibility of our design elements. During a thorough review of the current color scheme, we found that the text color used within our buttons, set at #FFFFFF (white), did not provide adequate contrast against the button background for all users, particularly those with visual impairments.
Importance of Accessibility:
Accessibility is crucial in design, ensuring that all users, regardless of their visual abilities, can effectively engage with our application. High contrast between text and background colors is essential for readability and comprehension. According to WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for normal text to ensure legibility for users with visual disabilities.
Benefits of the Change:
- Improved Readability: The darker text color will provide a clear distinction against the button background, making it easier for users to read and understand button labels.
- Enhanced User Experience: By ensuring that all interactive elements are accessible, we create a more inclusive environment that fosters user confidence and satisfaction.
- Compliance with Accessibility Standards: This change aligns with accessibility best practices and demonstrates our commitment to creating an equitable user experience for all healthcare providers.
Prototype - First version:
As the Agartee Patient Data Management App was primarily designed for nurses, the user testing and iterative development process focused on this core user group. However, feedback from other stakeholders, such as doctors, nutritionists, and chefs, was also incorporated to ensure the application met the needs of all end-users.
User Testing Methodology:
- Nurse Usability Testing: The majority of the testing sessions involved observing nurses as they interacted with the application prototypes. We paid close attention to their workflows, pain points, and overall satisfaction with the design.
- Task-Based Testing: Participants were given specific tasks to complete within the application, such as searching for a patient or create their account. This approach allowed for targeted feedback on key features and interactions.
- Think-Aloud Protocol: Users were encouraged to verbalize their thoughts and actions as they navigated the application, providing valuable insights into their decision-making process and pain points.
- Post-Task Questionnaires: Participants were asked to complete questionnaires following each task to rate their satisfaction, ease of use, and overall experience with the application. This quantitative data complemented the qualitative feedback gathered during the think-aloud sessions.
Iterative Development Process:
- Feedback Analysis: The feedback gathered from user testing sessions was analyzed to identify common pain points, areas of confusion, and opportunities for improvement.
- Design Iterations: Based on the feedback analysis, design iterations were implemented to address the identified issues and enhance the user experience.
- Prototype Testing: The revised prototypes were tested with new participants to validate the effectiveness of the design changes and gather additional feedback for further refinement.
- Continuous Feedback Loop: The iterative development process involved multiple rounds of testing, feedback, and refinement to ensure that the final application met user needs and expectations.
Approach:
We conducted usability testing with 5 nurses in a nursing home setting to evaluate the overall app usability. Through a combination of moderated usability tests and observational studies, we identified pain points that impacted user efficiency and data accuracy.
Findings Across the App:
- Inputs: Some interface elements were not intuitive, requiring additional cognitive load.
- Data Entry: Data entry fields were not intuitive, leading to errors and inefficiencies in patient record management.
- Feedback: Alert messages were static, lacking actionable next steps.
Major Modification Focus: Patient Overview Page
After testing the entire application, we found that the biggest usability issues appeared on the "Patient Overview" page—a critical screen where nurses input and review patient data.
Key Pain Points Identified in Patient Overview Page:
- Confusing Data Entry Fields
- Lack of Measurement Units
- Static Alert Messages
Iterative Design – Implementing User Feedback:
- Pre-Filled Placeholder Text: Added example values in fields to guide users and improve speed.
- Measurement Units: Added mmHg, °C, % next to input fields to reduce confusion.
- Actionable Alert Messages: Transformed static alerts into actionable messages by adding a "View Details" link to guide nurses to additional information.
Quantifiable Results Summary:
| Metric | Iteration 1 | Iteration 3 | Improvement (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Task Completion Time | 4.5 minutes | 2.2 minutes | 51% |
| Error Rate | 12% | 3% | 75% |
| User Satisfaction Score | 4.1 (out of 5) | 6.8 (out of 5) | 65% increase |
| Task Success Rate | 78% | 95% | 21.8% |
Initial Login Attempt
-
User-Centric Design:
The login interface is designed with the user in mind, ensuring an intuitive and seamless experience for healthcare providers. -
Integration with Patient Management System:
The login feature is seamlessly integrated into the larger patient data management system, allowing for quick access to patient information for authorized users. -
Visual Consistency:
Maintained a cohesive visual design that aligns with the overall branding of the application, promoting a professional and trustworthy appearance.
Password Reset Attempt
-
Clear Instructions:
Provided straightforward, step-by-step instructions for users to follow during the password reset process, -
Verification Process:
Implemented a secure verification code system to ensure that only authorized users can reset passwords, thereby safeguarding sensitive information. -
Feedback Mechanisms:
Offered immediate feedback during each step of the process, such as confirmation messages, to guide users effectively.
Sign-Up Attempt
-
Clear Success Messaging:
Provided users with a clear and positive confirmation upon successful sign-up, reinforcing their accomplishment and setting the stage for their continued engagement with the platform. -
Integration with User Management:
Seamlessly integrated the sign-up feature with the broader user management system, enabling efficient user onboarding and data organization.
This project was a transformative experience in designing a robust, user-friendly patient data management system for healthcare providers. It reinforced the power of user-centered design, iterative development, and data-driven decision-making.
Key Insights & Takeaways
- User-Centric Design Drives Real Impact: A user-centered, iterative design process was critical in ensuring the application aligned with the real-world needs of nurses, the primary users. Through continuous usability testing and feedback loops, we: ✔️ Refined workflows to match nurses’ daily routines seamlessly. ✔️ Integrated input from other key stakeholders, including doctors and nutritionists, to ensure a holistic approach to patient care. ✔️ Validated design decisions by observing nurses in their work environment, enabling us to make informed improvements.
- Data-Driven Design Enhances Usability: The testing methodology combined quantitative data (efficiency metrics, error rates, engagement levels) with qualitative insights (direct nurse feedback, observational studies) to drive design improvements. ✔️ Metrics guided our priorities, ensuring the highest-impact changes were implemented. ✔️ Real-world testing exposed usability gaps that traditional surveys missed. ✔️ Final iterations demonstrated measurable impact, reducing data entry time by 51% and minimizing errors by 75%.
- Beyond Just Design – A Holistic Learning Experience: This project was more than just a technical challenge—it was a learning journey that strengthened my abilities in: 💡 UX/UI Strategy & Problem-Solving: Balancing user needs with business goals and technical constraints. 💡 Secure Software Development: Ensuring patient data confidentiality while optimizing usability. 💡 Cross-Functional Collaboration: Aligning designers, developers, and healthcare professionals to create a cohesive product.