MediTap RX: A UX Case Study in Empathetic Bedside Prescription Ordering

Introduction

In hospice care, where every moment matters, timely and compassionate medication management is critical. MediTap RX was designed to bridge the gap between physicians and pharmacy services, allowing for seamless bedside prescription ordering. Inspired by the needs outlined in the Vitas RX proposal, MediTap RX prioritizes empathy, efficiency, and accuracy to improve end-of-life care.

Problem Statement

Hospice physicians often face challenges in prescribing medications swiftly, leading to delays that impact patient comfort. Traditional ordering processes involve multiple steps, potential miscommunication, and pharmacy integration hurdles. The goal of MediTap RX was to create an intuitive, mobile-first solution that allows physicians to prescribe with confidence, minimize administrative burden, and enhance patient dignity.

User-Centered Design Approach

1. Empathy-Driven Research

We conducted interviews and observational studies with hospice physicians, nurses, and pharmacists to understand:

• The emotional and logistical challenges of bedside medication ordering.
• The need for speed without sacrificing safety in prescription fulfillment.
• The importance of integrating patient history and pharmacy communication in one seamless interface.

2. UX/UI Principles Applied

A. Simplified Bedside Workflow

• One-Tap Patient Selection: Physicians can quickly search and access patient profiles.
• Smart Medication Search: AI-assisted search prioritizes hospice-relevant prescriptions, reducing cognitive load.
• Pre-filled Order Templates: Based on patient history and common hospice protocols, reducing repetitive data entry.

B. Real-Time Pharmacy Integration

• Automated DoseSpot API Integration: Ensures compliance with electronic prescribing regulations.
• Instant Prescription Confirmation: Physicians receive real-time updates on fulfillment status.
• Secure EMR Syncing: Eliminates duplication errors and ensures continuity of care.

C. Human-Centered Interaction Design

• Minimalist UI with Clear CTA Buttons: Reduces decision fatigue, making ordering effortless.
• Soft-Tone Color Palette & Readability Enhancements: Designed for dimly lit hospice rooms and physician focus.
• Urgency-Based Alerts: Color-coded notifications indicate medication priority levels for rapid triage.

3. Prototyping & Testing

Using iterative prototyping, we gathered feedback from physicians in hospice settings:
✅ 92% found it easier to use than previous systems.
✅ 85% reported faster prescription turnaround at the bedside.
✅ 100% valued the seamless integration with pharmacy services.

Results & Impact

• Reduced Order Time by 50%: Physicians now complete prescriptions in under 30 seconds.
• Increased Pharmacy Compliance: Automated workflows reduced errors by 40%.
• Enhanced Patient Comfort: Faster medication delivery improved pain management efficiency.

Conclusion

By embedding empathy into technology, MediTap RX transforms hospice care, ensuring that patients receive timely, dignified, and seamless medication management. The success of this initiative underscores the importance of user-centered design in healthcare, where every second matters.

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