Valeo: Mobile Charting Workstation

Product Design

A mobile workstation for nurses to improve their charting experience, enabling them to focus on patient care.

Cognitive (Over)load 

The theory of Cognitive Load was developed by psychologist John Sweller in a problem-solving study in the late 1980s. This theory explains how humans’ working memory capacity has inherent limits. 

Because nurses are constantly multi-tasking and making important decisions, studies have shown that nurses can reach that limit quickly. 

Nurses Make Hospitals Go ‘Round. 

Giving nurses a more versatile working environment will empower them. It will help nurses focus on patient care, relieving some of the excess workload and pressure from their other tasks. Charting is a major area of opportunity to improve the work environment for nurses in hospitals. 

The current charting system and technology is antiquated. 

How might we improve the charting experience?

iPads! Since the Fall 2013, the University of Cincinnati, College of Nursing has implemented the iPad requirement. This requires students to buy and use an iPad Mini 2 for their nursing classes. 

The benefits of utilizing the iPad in the classroom & hospitals: 

• More effective note-taking capabilities 

• Portability 

• Improved interaction between students and the facility 

• Multiple uses: camera, digital recorder, calculator, PRS clicker, etc. 

Within the next 5-10 years, hospitals will move away from desktop computers, follow this trend and implement iPads. 

Material Exploration

In a hospital setting, infection control is big concern. The materials need be non-porous, easy to clean, and highly durable. In addition, nurses do not want a lot of extra weight on their body. The lighter the materials can be, the better.