Table 1 Key user requirements and design strategies
GPs’ requirements | Design strategies adopted |
|---|---|
Swabber protection Swabbers should be protected from droplets produced by coughing and sneezing during swabbing. | • A full-height cubicle served as a barrier between patient and swabber, with a roof to block upward transmission trajectory. • The joints of the structure were sealed to prevent droplet transmission. |
Ease of disinfection Wipe-down had to be simple as the booth would be disinfected between patients. | • For the panels, polycarbonate was chosen over acrylic as polycarbonate could withstand wipe-downs with alcohol. • Surfaces were made as smooth as possible with no nooks and crannies. |
Outdoor or semi-outdoor use GPs should be able to place it outside the clinic to segregate swabbing space from consultation space, for infection control. | • Aluminium and polycarbonate were chosen for their weather-resistance. • No electrical components were included. • The cubicles were open, without doors, to allow wind, humidity, heat and sunlight to combat pathogens. This would also reduce the number of surfaces needing wipe-down between patients. |
Mobility In order to be stored indoors after hours, it had to be sufficiently compact to fit within small clinic spaces, and require minimal manpower to set up as GP clinics run on lean teams. | • Castors and handles were added. • It was made narrow enough to pass through standard doorways. • The footprint was made just large enough to contain both swabber and patient (600x800mm). • Lightweight materials and compact size made it easy for a single clinic staff to move and set up. |
Good ergonomics It should be comfortable for the swabber to perform the procedure. It should also accommodate patients of different builds. | • Dimensions were specified for a standing swabber performing a nasopharyngeal swab on a patient 1.10–1.75 m tall. Shorter patients could stand on a stool and taller patients could be seated. • Glove ports were fixed at a comfortable height for testers who were 1.55–1.75 m tall. • Gloves had to be touch-sensitive, low cost and easy to replace. • Curved shelves in both cubicles provided space for swabbing equipment to be placed. |
Patient privacy If the swabbing was done outside the clinic in a public area, patient privacy had to be respected. | • Semi-opaque cubicles for swabber and patient provided some privacy while allowing light to pass through for swabbing. |