Unboxing PPE
Healthcare workers (HCWs) are required to follow strict protocols when donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent contamination and ensure safety. However, HCW confidence in performing these tasks is often overlooked, despite research indicating that increased confidence can reduce errors in the process (Pyrek, 2018). Errors in PPE handling increase the risk of infection, posing significant challenges to healthcare environments.
Situation
Task
The goal was to explore how an improved storage and delivery system for PPE could enhance HCW confidence, ultimately reducing errors during the donning procedure. The task was to design and test a prototype aimed at improving the confidence of HCWs by optimizing the PPE repackaging and storage process.
Action
I led the design and testing of a repackaging prototype to enhance the ease and confidence in the donning process. Through collaboration with HCWs, we identified pain points in the current PPE handling process and developed a storage and delivery solution that streamlined the donning procedure, ensuring that the PPE was easily accessible and clearly organized. I conducted testing with healthcare workers to gather feedback on how the new system influenced their confidence and perception of the donning process.
Result
The prototype demonstrated potential to improve HCW confidence in PPE donning by reducing confusion and ensuring easy access to necessary equipment. Feedback indicated that a more intuitive and organized system allowed HCWs to perform the task with greater assurance, potentially reducing errors and enhancing overall safety. The research provided valuable insights into how improving the delivery and storage of PPE can have a direct impact on infection control.
Client
University Health Network (UHN) - Toronto General Hospital
Sector
Design Research, Healthcare, Usability Testing, Product Design
Responsibilities
Design Researcher
Project Duration
2 months
Understanding the donning and doffing protocol
Created and executed usability testing plan
Next iteration for further testing
Created prototype kit for usability testing
