Patient ambulation during hospitalization has been shown in the literature to promote maintaining independence and rapid recovery, especially in older populations. During ambulation, however, many patients need to be accompanied by IV poles and various equipment, which can prove cumbersome and even dangerous. Ridgeline Medical Supply, has approached W21C to facilitate a User Centered Design process in the development of their first prototype of the Hospital Caddy, including interviews and focus groups with providers and patients and identify any potential barriers or challenges to use of the prototype.
