Client: Stollenwerk GmbH
February 2010 - July 2010
Team: Maximilian Eichenbrenner, Fung Chow, Dietrich Aumann, Antonio Récamier
Stollenwerk is currently recognized in the rescue service market as a reliable brand, offering high quality products that comply with current regulations. Their ability to adapt to specific customer needs, providing personalized customer service, results in close relationships with their customers, creating loyalty. Nevertheless, the weight of their business lies on one core product: the patient stretcher. Thus, any changes in rescue service market can compromise the whole organization.
Objective
This multidisciplinary project between the German stretcher manufacturer and our team combines strategic, interaction, and integral design knowledge and methods. The goal is to develop a strategy to keep Stollenwerk competitive in the near future with attention to the market, user needs, upcoming technology and trends.
Methods
We evaluated general trends such as demographics, industry trends, investigated competitors and competitor strategies and products, and we took a close look at the company's strengths and opportunities. We dove into context and user research, focusing on paramedics' routines and their interaction with the ambulance stretcher as well as their equipment. For more insights, the team conducted interviews, handed out workbooks to paramedics, and participated in ambulance shifts thanks to the openness of participating rescue service teams in the Netherlands (AZRR Rotterdam, Witte Kruis Den Haag, Delft, Zoetermeer and RAVU Utrecht). It was during these final experiences we discovered the need for "a third paramedic", especially when carrying equipment to and from the scene.
Results
The final proposal is a multifunctional monitor handle that can be used to push the stretcher and to attach the patient monitor during transfer to the ambulance car. Besides improving maneuverability and handling, the monitor handle solves the problem area of carrying the heavy medical equipment (8 10 12 kg!) when the patient is on the stretcher. A prototype was built and tested with paramedics at ambulance services in Den Haag, Delft and Rotterdam; user feedback was positive and recommendations were implemented in the final concept proposal.
