Output details

Ambulance prototype design – Digital Diagnostics and Communication (DDC) system

During the development of a new treatment space for the UK emergency ambulance (Fusari REF Output 1) participatory observations with front-line clinicians revealed the need for an integrated patient monitoring, communication and navigation system. Fusari identified the different information touch-points and requirements through modes of use analysis, day-in-the-life study and simulation workshops with clinicians.

His research was a further development from the 2007–2010 EPSRC-funded Smart Pods to Reconfigure Urgent Healthcare Delivery project, which investigated treating patients in the community. Emergency scenario building and role-play with paramedics identified five distinct ambulance modes of use which informed the development of the Digital Diagnostics and Communication (DDC) system. Information flow diagrams were created and checked by paramedics. Digital User Interface wireframes were developed and evaluated by clinicians during clinical evaluations. Feedback from the latter further defined the User Interface design specification, leading to a design proposal that demonstrates a new system of communication between ambulance crews and the hospital.

The resulting interactive prototype was co-designed in collaboration with ambulance crews and provided a vision of what could be achieved by integrating well-proven IT technologies and protocols into a package relevant in the emergency medicine field. Critically, it anticipated through research a time when electronic patient records can be accessed inside an ambulance en route to emergency. The system was reviewed by over 40 ambulance crews and is part of a newly co-designed ambulance treatment space.