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.

(National Sleep Foundation)

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

  1. 80% of adults remain undiagnosed with moderate to severe Sleep Apnea, leading to significant treatment gaps (AASM).

  2. 60% of healthcare providers report fragmented health data which hampers comprehensive care (HIMSS).

Key Insights from Interviews

  1. Limited time for regular doctor visits.

  2. Panic & confusion set in as patients adjust APAP settings.

  3. Outdated CPAP interfaces with knobs and buttons frustrate users, reducing therapy adherence.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)

  1. Complicated App Interface

  2. Common settings buried in sea of options.

  3. 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

  • The app is okay, but it would be better if the CPAP machine itself were less complicated so my wife could help me directly.

  • I only ever change either the ramp time or sleep schedule, they should be more easily accessible

  • 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

  • Centralized control of all APAP settings via the touch screen, reducing complexity and cognitive load.

  • Immediate adjustments to therapy settings based on real-time data through WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Simplified Settings and Safety Features

  • Direct access to adjust sleep schedule, pressure, and ramp time using intuitive sliders and buttons.

  • 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.

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