For the core of this project, we chose to focus on the longterm residences offering care to the elderly suffering from dementia and communication challenges.

We started by doing research about why the current healthcare system goes against good patient care, we then suggested ways of how individuals can achieve a comfortable experience through a digitalized experience. Lastly, we proposed a new direction for the Arjo ceiling-lift of the future.

There are many issues regarding the time management of the nurses responsible for all patient handling.

A nurse must complete 75 tasks per hour, taking care of 16 to 28 elderly patients per day, each receiving 40 min of direct care. This heavy work flow will only get worse due to dramatic increase in elderly population. As a matter of fact, 5.7 million nurses will be globally needed by 2030.

The nurse intense schedules have a direct impact on the patients. Combined with illnesses like dementia, communication challenges can surface leading to confusion.
This heavy work flow has effects on the patients: less time leads to bypassing safety protocols, and stress can lead to greater risks of medical error and injuries.

Our contribution focuses on the care process and relationship between nurses and elderly patients who need a ceiling lift to complete their daily activities .
We believe that by digitalizing the observations, we can improve the understanding of patience needs and preferences in real time.

We combined a physical ceiling-lift and data collecting system and an interface to deliver personalized comfort.
The sling remains under the patient and is made from merino wool (non-irritating, hypoallergenic). The chest band is kept under the patients clothes. It’s connected to a device continuously collecting data on the patients agitation levels and positions.

The actuator displays information on its surface that allows nurses to understand the current state of the patient before presiding to the transfer.

The interface contains the patients digital files: their biometric data over time and personalized preferences during the patient handling.

We know that the healthcare system will have to change due to an overwhelming need for nurses to care for the aging population.

With Nida, we envision a future where communication challenges are no longer a barrier to good care and where nurses have
the proper tools to offer personalized services by combining connectivity and patient handling products.

THANK YOU!