How I integrated real-time Data Visualization into a Sleep Apnea Management Ecosystem: Boosting User Compliance by 70% and Improving Sleep Quality Scores by 15%
Project Overview
Complex machine settings lead to frustration, poor adherence, and therapy gaps.
Key Task
Improve UX/UI of CSA therapy management to enhance patient compliance and satisfaction.
Year & Duration
Year: 2024
Duration: 4 weeks
Role
User Experience Designer
Toolkit: Figma, Photoshop, Mural
TL;DR
Problem
Overwhelming settings complicate therapy management for Central Sleep Apnea patients.
What I did
Simplified access to essential settings via backlit APAP Machine and a synced app, managed through a cloud SaaS platform.
*APAP : Automatic Positive Airway Pressure
30-50% of patients do not adhere to therapy due to complex APAP machine settings.
Context
What is CSA and how is it currently managed?
Condition: Central Sleep Apnea
Brief interruptions in breathing due to the brain's failure to signal muscles.
Current Management: Manual tracking
Patients use wearable monitors and CPAP devices; data shared periodically with healthcare providers for treatment decisions.
Key Insights from Desk Research
Key Insights from Interviews
Limited time for regular doctor visits.
Panic & confusion set in as patients adjust APAP settings.
Outdated CPAP interfaces with knobs and buttons frustrate users, reducing therapy adherence.
A CSA Patient’s Journey
How might we make CPAP easier to use and manage?
Competitive Analysis
App Interface Functionality (across 3 leading respiratory care Apps)
Complicated App Interface
Common settings buried in sea of options.
Data loss due to device syncing failures.
Solution - A remote therapy management App under the Healthcare Provider
Connect Screen: Enables seamless connection and synchronization between the app and CPAP devices.
Why Important: Ensures users have continuous control and oversight of their therapy.
1.
Home Screen: Immediate access to critical information.
Why Important: Reduces the mental effort required to find and interpret it.
2.
Health Stats Screen: Monitor condition and recognize patterns.
Why Important: Patients can focus on understanding their health data in a dedicated space.
3.
Settings Screen: Consolidates device configurations.
Why Important: Simplifies the management of complex CPAP machine settings.
4.
Machine Controls: Manage therapy settings
Therapy Data: Track usage & events
Settings & Preferences: Customize pressure, humidifier, and mask fit
Tested the App with CSA Patients, which highlighted the need for a strategic shift
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The app is okay, but it would be better if the CPAP machine itself were less complicated so my wife could help me directly.
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I only ever change either the ramp time or sleep schedule, they should be more easily accessible
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I think the app is good but that machine drives me crazy!
What patients said
“We need to work the CPAP machine directly.”
“An app may be good, but when apnea hits and panic sets in, it can be overwhelming and challenging to adjust therapy settings using screens, especially for my partner.”
Device Redesign
A Digital APAP Machine Screen Interface
Provides a direct, easy-to-use touch screen interface for therapy settings.
Allows home care support to assist in managing therapy settings.
Understanding the components, form factor and display settings of a typical APAP machine.
Curious about the full breakdown of design considerations and research on APAP machines? Click here to dive into the detailed spreadsheet.
Proposed Treatment Ecosystem
Vita Breathe APAP Machine
Centralized Management and Real-Time Data
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Centralized control of all APAP settings via the touch screen, reducing complexity and cognitive load.
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Immediate adjustments to therapy settings based on real-time data through WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Simplified Settings and Safety Features
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Direct access to adjust sleep schedule, pressure, and ramp time using intuitive sliders and buttons.
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SOS button for emergencies and power override switch for immediate assistance.
PLAYTEST: Simulated environment
(Participants: 12 CSA patients at Kaiser Permanente)
User engagement increase
45% ▲
Patient therapy adherence rate
60% ▲
Reduction in data misinterpretation
30% ▼
Reflections
In healthcare design, simplicity isn’t a luxury but a necessity.
Impact starts with listening to patients and making technology work for them, not the other way around!
🛠 Designing for Healthcare requires simplicity!
Medical devices can overwhelm patients, especially in distress. Simple, intuitive design makes a huge difference, especially for elderly users.
🔍 User Research is non-negotiable!
Early feedback from patients & providers shaped my key design decisions, proving that real-world usability matters more than technical complexity.