EMI

Enhancing Early Mobilization in the Intensive Care Unit

Overview

The EMI system supports the current shift in patient critical care towards a more humanized treatment by facilitating the practice of early mobilization and enhancing the patient and staff experience. The combination of a flexible monitoring solution, visual exercise guidance, and an integrated planning and management tool creates a seamless mobilization practice.

Project Info

Year: 2020 | 8 weeks

Type: Medical Design

University: Umeå Institute of Design

Collaboration Partner: Getinge

Group: Rafaela Stillner, Anna Gebala,
Shuai Li, Sonya Swan

Methods

Stakeholder interviews, user journey mapping, ideation workshop, role play, user testing, prototyping.

My role

Some of my specific roles during the project: 3D modelling exploration, illustrations animations, video editing.

What is Early Mobilization?

Early Mobilization refers to physical activity performed on patients starting from their first 72 hours in the ICU.
Starting with physical training early on and making it an integral part of the patient journey is essential
for a fast recovery and a positive post-ICU experience.

A shift into a more humanized ICU experience

The main benefits of mobilizing patients

Main pain points

Patients:

Healthcare professionals:

EMI system:

1. Wireless Monitoring Unit

The Emi monitoring unit improves the cable organization and enables wireless monitoring of the patient. When mobilization starts, the monitoring unit can be safely disconnected from the power and network outlet and maintained fully functional. Because of this, the patient can move easier and feel freer. It also helps the staff focus more on the patient and doesn't need to spend time taking care of tangled cables or worry about cable disconnection.

2. Visual Guidance

The Smart projector guides the ICU staff, patient's relatives or patients, through mobilization exercises by projections. The EMI smart projector is a combined projector and IR camera. The Smart projector is fixed to the ceiling in the ICU, on top of the patient's bed, not taking up any necessary space.

**Breathing exercise:**
Guide the patient to the right breathing
rhythm and counting the rounds.

**Game mode:**
Increase the motivation and make
the training more fun.

**Relax Mode:**
Provide the patient a cozy and safe
atmosphere during night.

3. EMI software

The software simplifies patient planning and decision-making among staff. It also gives an overview of the patient progress and reminders about Early Mobilization to help minimize pressure wounds. The software follows the patient through the whole recovery process, even when back home doing physical therapy.