Led by Research Associates with significant experience in healthcare design, a team from the Royal College of Art redesigned six everyday items of hospital equipment that pose a hygiene risk on the ward because they frequently come into close contact with both staff and patients.
Find out more about the Royal College of Art's involvement in Design Bugs Out.
A wipe-clean cuff that secures without the need for Velcro, which means it can be cleaned easily after use.
A simple timing device for intravenous lines, providing a visual indicator of how long they have been in use.
This detachable curtain handle creates a single wipe-clean touch-point for staff and patients, reducing the risk of cross-infection.
An inbuilt early warning system allows soiled mattresses to be identified as soon as they become contaminated.
A simpler design means the device is easier to clean, potentially reducing the risk of cross-infection.
This simple clip-on dispenser provides patients with easy access to detergent-based cleaning wipes at the bedside.
Designers from the Royal College of Art Helen Hamlyn Centre share their experiences of working on the Design Bugs Out project.