#intro2d

If I were to market this to an end-user, I would absolutely focus on the user-friendliness of the product.  The idea that a layman could utilize this piece of equipment (with ease) to save a human life, in my opinion, would be an optimal selling point. 

To describe this device, I would say that this is a lightweight, compact, user friendly device.  It is safe, easy to use, using clear and concise language---simple enough for a child to understand.  The AED comes fully ready for use, with pads stored inside.  All you need to do is turn the machine on, apply the pads as shown on the easy to read diagrams, and follow the prompts.  

If I were to choose six images to convey the importance of this device, I would begin with: 1.  Image of a person in cardiac arrest; 2.  Image of ‘layperson’ coming upon said scene; 3. Image of same layperson identifying the brightly colored AED on the wall and securing it; 4. Image of same person opening AED and seeing pictures to guide him; 5. Image of person applying pads and listening for prompts; 6. Image of victim in recovery position.

Objects that might be especially helpful for demonstration to an audience would be:  CPR dummy to demonstrate possible arrest--to assist in the feeling of an actual emergency, AED trainer to practice ease of use---gives user the opportunity to feel the machine and see how it opens, how the pads are positioned, how the stickers indicate the procedure, to hear the machine and follow the prompts without an actual emergency at hand. CPR ‘cheat sheets’ and barrier masks to hand out so that people who are in attendance feel a bit more secure and prepared in the event of an actual emergency.  

The hospital where I work at has this toilet design that a lot of our patients find convenient  but most chose not to use it becasue they’re not comfortable using it. The patient rooms are very small, and therefore we don’t have enough space for bathrooms. I personally wouldn’t use this toilet if I was a patient there. Our rooms then become even crowded because patient always request bedside commode and that takes extra space. We have patients who come for peritoneal dialysis and these patients can’t use those rooms, so they’re sent to B-side where bathrooms are available to prevent them from acquiring infection. A patient told me that it feels awkward when she washes her hand on that sink, “I feel like my hands are dirty even after I wash them because there is a toilet under the sink”.

The unit I presently work on is lacking in natural light available to staff and patients. Due to the location of my unit, there are only windows present in each patient’s room. However, the windows are completely frosted which allows some natural light to enter, but feels very confining to the outside world. As referenced by Naccarella, 2016, the aesthetics of the working environment allow nurses to feel a sense of value by their employers. Many employees, including myself and patient’s, have asked why the windows are completely frosted over. The response to our inquiry was that the view from these windows was of duct work and that they felt this would not be aesthetically pleasing to patients. In order to improve this design, I would use the “modify” technique within SCAMPER, and remove the frosted portion of the window on approximately 1/4 of the top section of the window. This would allow individuals to see the sky, and what kind of weather was occurring. I feel this would help staff and patients to feel more connected to the outside world, and eliminate any feelings of being trapped in a stuffy, clinical environment. One of the quotes in the article by Naccarella, 2016, states, “I wouldn’t have a ferret in a box without a window, so why would you have an employee in a box without a window?”. I think this statement is truly reflective of how something as simple as having a window to see the outside world can influence how an employee perceives his or her value or lack of by their employer. 

BEFORE

AFTER

This photo of my front door of a 3 story apartment building with the door handle on the left is simple. The door swings in and to the right. My apartment is on the first floor and the door to get into the living room in my apartment is on the right behind the front door while it is open and the staircase is on the left side of the entryway and there is only room for the door to swing open. There is another door on the left but it goes into the bedroom and is not functional. 

So, if you didn’t already know from my profile, I work in a prison.  That being said, I am unable to photograph my facility or our detainees.  This, however, is a fabulous depiction of what ‘med line’ looks like.  To elaborate, a med cart, topped with a jug of water, drinking cups, and a book of MARs is rolled into each housing unit, twice daily.  The detainees line up, get their cups of water, their meds and carry on with their days.  The problems with this system are numerous.  I will focus on two:  Identification of detainees and legibility of MARs.

As you might imagine, this process is lengthy.  We are a facility of 500+ at this time and have an ever-changing staff (people don’t like to be incarcerated---even ‘on the clock’).  Med line procedures dictate that the nurse/med tech on med line check each ID, and match it to the MAR before administering meds.  Sounds quite obvious, right?  Here’s the issue...there are many people that have similar names....sometimes the same name...and sometimes they live in the same housing unit....ugh.

Now, while the name issue is quite challenging at times, there is also the issue of the half hand-written (by multiple staff---some of us have horrible penmanship), half computer generated (only as good as those entering the orders) MARs.  Needless to say, this can be quite taxing on an employee, as they are trying to ensure they are delivering the right meds, in the right amount, to the right person at the right time.  Oh, yeah, under not so fantastic lighting (save this issue for another post).  

In my opinion, this issue could be solved with automation.  A simple program in which the detainee could scan his badge, subsequently having his name, picture and current meds and allergies appear.  It could drastically reduce the incidence of the wrong person getting meds, or the right person getting the wrong dose or at the wrong time.  A system in which the person is identified and the meds are summoned would, from the SCAMPER model, demonstrate ‘Combine’, as we are taking two tasks and making them one. 

Taking the hierarchy of needs into consideration, our current system is stuck at ‘functionality’ at best.  It doesn’t even climb one rung to ‘reliability’, as the errors are quite common, indicating flaws.

Lastly, the hippies, beatniks...the counterculture...

Per Merriam-Webster, the raw definition of ‘beatnik’ reads:  a young person who was part of a social group in the 1950s and early 1960s that rejected the traditional rules of society and encouraged people to express themselves through art.  

Above is an accurate depiction of the counterculture of the 50s/60s.  The young people of the time were challenging social mores and redefining norms and expectations of the time.  It didn’t all work out well, but I believe that these movement did a lot more good for society than bad.  

This outfit, although a modern depiction of a vintage style expresses a sense of freedom and expression...the exact message that the youth of the time was trying to convey.  Kind of a ‘take me as I am’ message.