Augmented reality for nursing staff

We investigated how Augmented Reality (AR) can make a positive contribution to the work of nursing staff. With AR, a virtual information layer is added to the real world, perceptible through a (visual) interface, such as a tablet or glasses.

This of course offers opportunities, but also practical challenges. How do you prevent the nurse from seeing so much information that it becomes ineffective? And what can you do to prevent having to make strange hand or head movements to interact with the AR device - as is common in many current solutions?

We have developed a future concept that solves these challenges. With the AR solution, the nurse needs less time to read in (time savings of 1 hour per day), there are fewer work interruptions and he is supported in making personal contact with the patient. This way, the nurse knows per patient what he needs and what the patient likes.

The concept was developed during a one-week innovation sprint. In the research phase, we interviewed 4 nurses about their working day and contact with patients. According to these experts, the greatest improvement potential was present in subjects such as 'administration' and 'social contact'.

We tested the outcome, a paper prototype, with the nurses. With positive results. Our concept appealed to them; they certainly see it working within their sector. They particularly liked minimizing the time required for reading in and transferring, allowing more time for personal contact. They were also enthusiastic about the story feed, which helps to take over each other's patients. One of the nurses: 'I would like to see that 'dream application' become reality!'