co-ordinating with cardiographer

Before starting this semester I had the opportunity to observe the process of attaching and un-attaching a five lead electro-cardiogram (ecg) machine within the cathlab. During this day the cardiographer would describe to me what he would look out for on the monitors in his observation area.

I have just phoned the hospital and in the following week or two I should be able to shadow the cardiographer throughout his day in the cardio respiratory department. Although I have been to this department before it was essentially a tour of the machines and I had the opportunity to take photographs of the cables and wires as they lay.

This shadowing exercise will give me an insight into the actual processes and stresses the cardiographer encounters during the day especially in relation to tangled cables and wires.

For the master of design programme I have investigated the issues caused by poor facilities for cable management of an electro cardiogram (ECG) machine within the hospital environment.  Specifically the project research has drawn me to the cardio respiratory department of Raigmore hospital Inverness, shadowing staff and patients recording observations and their valuable insights.

Ecg machines record the electrical activity of the heart and can involve as many as twelve wires attached via electrodes from the legs, arms and chest of the patient to a machine.  Due to time constraints and lack of proper storage equipment, these wires are often draped entangled over the top of equipment.  Untangling cables and wires is a frustrating task for the staff and is an unattractive sight for patients, affecting their confidence and security. 

A suitable solution to this problem would benefit both user groups, improving time management for staff and becoming aesthetically pleasing for patients.

I would like to continue this project after the masters programme.  It is incremental design and can continue to be developed and refined as technology progresses.

David has an undergraduate degree in three-dimensional design from Grays School of Art at the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.