Human-centered design in the care of immobile patients

Abstract

Nurses frequently suffer from low back pain, but oppose against using mechanical lifting devices. It was found that the nurses' reluctance to use technical aids may be due to several drawbacks of currently used lifting devices in patient care: 1) the lifting maneuver is controlled through a control device located at a distant position form the patient (e.g. fixed to the supporting structure). 2) Conventional lifting devices are position controlled and operate at a low velocity. 3) The lifting device holds the entire weight of the patient, while the nurse performs translational movements. Therefore existing technological solutions were studied and novel ways were explored of achieving intuitive interaction, e.g. through the use of force and position sensors and shared control strategies. The initial results of our task analysis suggest that both the handicapped/ immobile person and the nurse may be supported by intelligent assistive lifting devices. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.