Creating graph partitions for fast optimum route planning

We investigate fast optimum route planning in large, real-world road networks for car navigation systems. We show how graph partitioning can be used to increase the speed of planning optimum routes. Creating a graph partition with future route planning in mind leads to a non-standard graph partitioning problem. In particular, the quality of a partition, indicated by the objective value, is assumed to represent the execution time of the route planning process. We present an efficient approximation algorithm for creating graph partitions suited for fast optimum route planning. We study the relation between the objective value and the number of edges evaluated by the route planning algorithm, which is an objective measure of the route planning speed. Experiments show that the best partition according to the objective value does not lead to the fastest route planning process. We present a new objective value and show that better partitions result in faster route planning for our new objective value

Contextual Research for Healing Patient Rooms Design: Patient Experience Flow Studies in Neurology Departments

Our aim is to explore possibilities of enhancing the healing process in single patient hospital rooms by means of a context-related adaptation of the environment. The gained knowledge and understanding is used to develop relevant solutions addressing the needs of both patients and staff. For the Adaptive Healing Rooms project, the focus is specifically on neurology patients (stroke) and the in-patient environments they find themselves in during their recovery process. We have used a set of research techniques to capture the experience of patients and healthcare providers, transitioning the role of researcher as an observer to a participatory approach with integration of the patient and the caregiver as creators of the research data. We used techniques such as shadowing, observation and multi stakeholder sessions allowing patients and providers to describe their experience and obtain a voice in decision-making. Based on the issues from the experience flow study and the established healing effects from literature, a large number of concepts to improve the healing process were generated. After an internal evaluation of these concepts a subset of about 10 concepts were proposed to the staff of two hospitals. Based on their input a few concepts were selected for further development. One of these concepts is called the Adaptive Daily Rhythm Atmosphere (ADRA). The ADRA concept is based on the need of neurology patients for a clear daily rhythm and day/night structure. This issue is confirmed in neurology departments and rehab centers (for stroke, brain injury, and brain infection). Patients in other departments (e.g. cardiology, oncology, mental health) are expected to have a similar need, although possibly not as strong

Towards adaptive patient rooms : co-creation with stroke patients and staff

This article describes research into a new type of patient room, designed to be adaptable to the changing needs of patients during their hospital stay. We initially focus on stroke patients. The concept is being developed through a fully user centered design process, whereby patients and hospital staff are involved in all phases, from the early insight generation research up to the final clinical tests. To analyze as early as possible in the process if the concept will adequately address the needs identified in the insight phases, a fully functional prototype of this Adaptive HealingRoom has been built in a laboratory setting, and evaluated with staff from different hospitals and with former stroke patients. The results of these evaluations are presented here. They show that the concept is very promising: staff as well as patients expect positive effects of virtually allfeatures designed to support patients orientation and recovery. They also provide unexpected new insights, which will be used to further improve the concept

Adaptable healing patient room for stroke patients : a staff evaluation

This paper addresses the evaluation with hospital staff of an in-patient environment that supports patients, family, nursing staff and medical specialists during the recovery process of neurology patients and especially patients recovering from a stroke. We describe the methods that were used to evaluate the Adaptive Daily Rhythm Atmospheres (ADRA), Artificial Skylight (AS) and Adaptive Stimulus Dosage (ASD) concepts

Adaptive daily rhythm atmospheres for stroke patients : a staff evaluation

This paper addresses the evaluation with hospital staff of an in-patient environment that supports patients, family, nursing staff and medical specialists during the recovery process of neurology patients and especially patients recovering from a stroke. We describe the methods that were used to evaluate the Adaptive Daily Rhythm Atmospheres (ADRA) concept. The goal of this evaluation was to gauge expectations against the different phases of the ADRA concept both qualitatively and quantitatively to determine if the different phases are useful, usable and desirable for 1) the healing process of the patient and 2) the workflow of the staff. The results show that the hospital staff expects a positive effect of the different phases of the ADRA concept on the healing process of the patient. In fact the results from the staff of different institutes and with different roles were in agreement on most evaluation criteria. Regarding the clinical workflow, the staff also expects a positive effect for almost all phases. The evaluation results are used to further improve the design of healing environments in general and the ADRA concept in particular