Medi-Link is a case study that I researched and designed for nurses to access medication cabinets in hospitals like Pyxis and Omnicell. Nurses have problems accessing it during patient emergencies, and busy work schedules.

Project Type: Student Project

Summary

About Medi-Link

Nurses work long shifts taking care of multiple patients during a single shift. Nurses use many different forms of technology and depend on this to help care for their patients. This technology consists of medication cabinets called the Pyxis and Omnicell, which hold and dispense medications for hospital patients. These machines are always having problems when nurses are trying to access them, especially in the event of an emergency with a patient.

Problem

Solution

Medi-Link is a multi-platform app to be used by nurses that work in hospitals for the use of medication cabinets (Pyxis or Omnicell). The purpose of this app allows the nurses to more effectively use their work phones and/or tablet connected to the cabinets to order medication, perform tasks, check patient history, and more - from anywhere in the hospital.

Duration: August 2022 - May 2023

Team: Solo Project guided by professor

Tools: Google Forms, Keynote, Figma, and Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator

How It Started

I asked my sister if she deals with any problems at the hospital she works at, and she told me about the problems with the Pyxis and Omnicell.

I formulated a survey to receive more input from other healthcare workers to strengthen my knowledge.

I analyzed all the information from the survey and the interviews that I conducted and realized that some sort of change could happen.

I also conducted interviews about the problem with nurses and friends at school in the nursing program.

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User Research

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20

Registered

Nurses

Nurse

Practitioners

Qualitative Survey Responses

Any comments about reoccurring problems with the medication cabinets (Pyxis or Omnicell)?

"The counts of medication are off, but the system is still stained; there are medications in that specific cabinet."

"The Screen keeps freezing, specific drawers get stuck/not opening, and there are always tech errors."

Any suggestions on how to make the Pyxis or Omnicell better?

"Better way to fix the cabinets if they get stuck/stop working, than having to wait for someone to come fix it."

"Omnicell doesn’t have the option for “due meds” whereas Pyxis does, makes it easier at med pass times to see what's due rather than looking at the charts on your work phone."

The survey was created for me to gain more information on how nurses deal with medication cabinets like the Pyxis or Omnicell. How do they deal with emergencies, technical problems, and other nurses using it at the same time?

17

3

Registered

Nurses

Nurse

Practitioners

Survey

I conducted interviews with many people, including close people like my sister, my cousin, and friends at school in the nursing program. The interview process allowed me even more insight into how nurses interact with the medication cabinets and each other on different occasions.

Interviews

User Archetypes

Based on the user research, two personas were created: Cami, and Tom. These two personas were then referred to throughout the rest of the design process.

UI Sketches & Wireframes

Revisiting my sketch wireframes after receiving feedback many times has allowed me to revise them. In turn, it would be easier for my target audience to understand.

Low Fidelity Prototype

High Fidelity Prototype

Medi-Link's Features

Only nurses and other healthcare and hospital personnel have access to Medi-Link inside hospitals. Features include requesting medications from Pyxis or Omnicells, seeing nurses' schedules for the said day, and accessing patient labs or medication information when they need it. Nurses can request medication for any patient anywhere within the hospital without having to stop to input information in the pyxis or omnicell.