UX Research For Medical Devices

Blood and Fluid Warmer manufactured in Austria

Physicians and Nurses who regularly work with infusion and/or transfusion equipment in U.S. hospitals.

Does the Blood and Fluid Warmer design facilitate safe and effective use and not create the potential for patient harm?

Contextual inquiry

UX Researcher

5 Weeks

• 8 Physicians
• 9 Nurses

Overall, the device is a safe to use, effective device that medical professionals can be expected to use without error in most cases. However, there are some opportunities for improvement in the device's usability.

1. The only way to stop the over-temperature alarm is by unplugging the device. The lack of clear indication on how to stop the alarm combined with the constant loud beeping sound made the troubleshooting experience overwhelming for some participants.
2. The cassette can be removed by sliding it out from the top. However, the latch on the side made some users think it can only be removed by unlatching the device.
3. The Instructions For Use (IFU) lists names of acceptable cleaning agents and disinfectants for the device none of which are familiar to Physicians and Nurses in the United States.

1. Provide a way for users to stop the alarm on the device itself, either on the screen or on the body of the device near the power button. If the device needs to be unplugged for safety, flash the instruction to do that on the screen.
2. Consider adding an instruction on the latch that says, “ONLY open for cleaning” or modifying the physical design of the device by changing the position/prominence of the latch.
3. Replace the European medical device disinfecting procedure with American procedures and disinfectants that will be safe to use on the device, for example, bleach wipes and alcohol-based disinfectants.