Augmenting soundscapes of ICUs: a Collaborative approach

Authors

Gijs Louwers, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands; Department of ICU, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The NetherlandsFollow
Sylvia Pont, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The NetherlandsFollow
Esther Van der Heide, EHM Solutions Research Hospital Patient Monitoring, Philips, Eindhoven, The NetherlandsFollow
Diederik Gommers, Department of ICU, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The NetherlandsFollow
Elif Özcan, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands; Department of ICU, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The NetherlandsFollow

Abstract

In this study we investigated characteristics for designing soundscape augmentations within Intensive Care Units (ICUs). We introduced soundscape perception and fundamental needs as the basis of design strategies for augmenting sound-scapes experienced by critically ill patients. We used results of a previous study, where in interviews regarding current ICU soundscapes, patients revealed four concerns and underlying needs. They found that ICU soundscapes were alienating, unvaried, unfamiliar, and disruptive. These insights were used as contextual inputs in a collaborative workshop with ICU nurses, resident doctors, and researchers. In separate groups, they developed three system concepts named Smart Environmental Assistant, Patient Soundscape Dashboard, and Familiar Wake-ups. Based on qualities of these concepts, we found five characteristics for designing effective soundscape augmentation systems for ICUs: personalized, user-friendly, integrated, humanized, and familiar. These characteristics, rooted in perspectives of various ICU experts, are essential for reshaping the ICU soundscape into a more positive listening experience.

Keywords

soundscape augmentation; intensive care; co-creation; patient-centered

DOI

https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2024.792

Citation

Louwers, G., Pont, S., Van der Heide, E., Gommers, D., and Özcan, E. (2024) Augmenting soundscapes of ICUs: a Collaborative approach, in Gray, C., Hekkert, P., Forlano, L., Ciuccarelli, P. (eds.), DRS2024: Boston, 23–28 June, Boston, USA. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2024.792

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Conference Track

Research Paper