Device Dilemma: Optimizing Spaces in Hospital Labor and Delivery Rooms

Abstract

This paper presents a multi-method, Human-Centered Design informed approach to device selection within a Labor and Delivery Unit at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada. Focused on supporting anesthesiologists transitioning to fully electronic documentation, the process integrated clinical observations, workflow mapping, room assessments, and interdisciplinary feasibility testing. Key challenges included balancing clinical needs, user requirements, spatial and infrastructure constraints, and the broader care environment, including patient and family experience. The resulting approach offers a structured device assessment framework that enabled evidence-informed recommendations. This framework offers a practical model for aligning device selection with clinical workflows and the real-world constraints of healthcare environments.