Useful, usable, used: Rapid redesign of a Patient Alert Card
Tracks
Room 2
| Tuesday, December 1, 2026 |
| 10:05 AM - 10:25 AM |
| Concurrent Room 1 |
Overview
Thomas Loveday
Speaker
Thomas Loveday
Design Psychology
Useful, usable, used: Rapid redesign of a Patient Alert Card
Abstract
Context. Patient alert cards communicate clinical and administrative risks across an admission and are critical to patient safety. Audits at Epworth HealthCare identified persistent compliance gaps in the existing A1 Alert Card, including incorrect completion of the Advance Care Planning section in 41% of audited documents, and documentation of an Advance Care Directive in only 38%. Two previous redesign attempts had failed to progress to implementation due to a lack of stakeholder agreement.
Aim. To redesign the A1 Alert Card so it meets regulatory and best practice requirements and is useful, usable, and used, applying contemporary human-centred design within a compressed timeframe.
Approach. An eight-week four-sprint rapid redesign model was applied, with each sprint defined by a clear objective that created momentum and progressively resolved design problems:
Sprint 1 — Review user requirements: evaluate the current form and the two previous (unimplemented) redesigns using the Cognitive Aids in Medicine Assessment Tool (CMAT); identify reference designs from comparable health services; and prioritise user requirements with the governance committee.
Sprint 2 — Develop prototype designs: generate concepts informed by stakeholder consultation and committee review.
Sprint 3 — Simulation-based user testing: scenario-based usability testing with five clinicians across two iterations, using the think-aloud protocol and the System Usability Scale (SUS).
Sprint 4 — Implementation, monitoring and learning: define KPIs, change agents, communication strategy, and a multi-department trial.
Results. CMAT scores improved from 55% (current form) to 88% in the redesign. Following two iterations of usability testing, the redesign achieved a SUS score of 66 with 94% positive item sentiment. Pilot feedback for the form will be discussed in the session.
Implications. Sprint-based rapid redesign offers a pragmatic, transferable alternative to linear form review, structuring evidence and decisions into discrete, deliverable-led increments suitable for other paper and digital cognitive aids in healthcare.
Aim. To redesign the A1 Alert Card so it meets regulatory and best practice requirements and is useful, usable, and used, applying contemporary human-centred design within a compressed timeframe.
Approach. An eight-week four-sprint rapid redesign model was applied, with each sprint defined by a clear objective that created momentum and progressively resolved design problems:
Sprint 1 — Review user requirements: evaluate the current form and the two previous (unimplemented) redesigns using the Cognitive Aids in Medicine Assessment Tool (CMAT); identify reference designs from comparable health services; and prioritise user requirements with the governance committee.
Sprint 2 — Develop prototype designs: generate concepts informed by stakeholder consultation and committee review.
Sprint 3 — Simulation-based user testing: scenario-based usability testing with five clinicians across two iterations, using the think-aloud protocol and the System Usability Scale (SUS).
Sprint 4 — Implementation, monitoring and learning: define KPIs, change agents, communication strategy, and a multi-department trial.
Results. CMAT scores improved from 55% (current form) to 88% in the redesign. Following two iterations of usability testing, the redesign achieved a SUS score of 66 with 94% positive item sentiment. Pilot feedback for the form will be discussed in the session.
Implications. Sprint-based rapid redesign offers a pragmatic, transferable alternative to linear form review, structuring evidence and decisions into discrete, deliverable-led increments suitable for other paper and digital cognitive aids in healthcare.
Biography
Thom is a Human Factors specialist and Organisational Psychologist with extensive experience managing Human Factors through design on large scale healthcare, rail, road, aviation, and energy projects. As a multi-specialist, his work has covered everything from user research, user interface design, ergonomics assessments, safety culture interventions, capability development, instructional design and establishing safety management systems and design systems.
Thom is a recognised expert in User Research, Human Machine Interaction and Work Design. He was awarded his PhD in Human Factors in 2012 by Macquarie University for his work investigating rapid decision-making by operators using electronic control systems in high-risk, high consequence sectors. He remains an associate fellow of Macquarie University and is a Board member for the Performance and Expertise Research Centre (PERC). He also continues to contribute to research on designing effective electronic decision support.
Thom’s major achievements include establishing Design programs for multiple government agencies and overseeing Human Factors Integration on WestConnex Stage 3A and Western Harbour Tunnel. He also established the Health Prototyping Centre at Macquarie Park to support the adoption of design sprints and simulation-based usability testing within NSW Health. Thom has held senior leadership roles in government: he was the inaugural Director of Design at eHealth NSW and later the Executive Director Engagement and Design for Tas Health. In these roles he established user experience and human factors integration support for digital products.
