Problem Context

BD Synapsys is a complete smart lab automation solution that utilises AI and thoughtful design to support and optimize Microbiologists and their workflow in a lab setting.
As Microbiology labs, and Synapsys, scale more instruments are physically and digitally integrated into Synapsys. The primary goal of this piece of work was to replicate the physical process of spotting organisms on to a MALDI ( matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization) plate [see image below] within Synapsys, along with all the ancillary functionality.

Synapsys needs to record each organism placement to synchronise any future results, or additionally ordered tests, with each patient sample and patient electronic health record. This diagnostic system is used ultimately to identify disease and therefore the stakes are high for an effective and usable design.

Discovery

There are many large instruments and machines in the laboratory that require specialist training and expertise. As new instruments are added to the Synapsys platform a thorough review of existing design research, and workflows, is needed to identify any gaps, risks and opportunities for updating. At the beginning of a large piece of work like this general ethnography, workflow mapping and interviews are carried out.

I usually need to use two Synapsys screens, MALDI-tof, various printouts and a notebook to track all information needed. It would be great if it can be all placed in a single source

Microbiologist observation during kick off research lab visits

After every major piece of design research our existing knowledge base is either updated or added to. In this instance additional personas and journeys were created due in part to the complexity and specialisation of the MALDI workflow.

I prefer the manual process of spotting the MALDI plate but unlike my colleagues I sequentially spot the plate and order tests instead of bulk ordering

Quote from interviewee

In addition to the above persona and workflow identification desired functionality and red routes / pain points were identified. It became apparent that dozens of supplementary features and functionality were required to be placed in the same screen in the application.  Card sorting with users and workflow analysis with the product team was used to determined the prioritisation and potential placement of the functionality.

Card sorting and workflow analysis suggested that there were three distinct groupings and priority of features. Solution design should begin with a holistic layout and then once validated and approved dive deeper into each grouping.

Learnings from card sorting review

Solution

With a demanding list of functionality to place into this section of Synapsys the majority of my efforts were focused on the priority 1 functions placement and layout design. This process took many iterations over many months and involved complex collaboration with product owners, business analysts, engineering, lab users and of course multiple review and co-create sessions with the design team. Many aspects were beyond the scope of this design piece (calendar widget redesign, modal redesign) due to existing component use in other parts of the system, however any new components were reviewed and if accepted added to the design system library.

Plate layout and meta information overlay (priority 1 zone) is the focus at this point

Revision 7

Request plates, to your workbench, for automated systems (priority 2 zone) is the focus here

Revision 23

Additional test ordering (priority 3 zone) is the focus here

Revision 32

Layout and table print view concepts

Ancillary support functions added and extended as needed

Integration with third party systems to pull in alternatively ordered tests

Ancillary support functions added and extended as needed

Validation testing

Validation was a FDA requirement, additionally, however, each sprint contained some degree of minor testing and validation with the design team and stakeholders. Every program increment included further discovery and concept testing.

Custom built Heuristic Evaluation tool for the design and BA team to help keep rapid and constructive feedback

In sprint testing

Online tools such as usertesting.com, usability hub, mechanical turk, optimal sort etc. were used to provide rapid insight testing at a sprint and program increment level.

Usability hub rapid insight testing with debranded de tasked interface

At a release level, and and FDA required, in situ user testing was always carried out.

I need to keep Synapsys on one screen and the instrument on the other, I need to copy and paste from one to another, would be great to synchronize them

Quote from Interviewee

Conclusion

Eventually after 38 revisions, all tracked with detailed review and documentation notes, it was great to see this feature set released in the latest version of Synapsys.

It was a fascinatingly complex piece of work that challenged me but I’m quite happy with the outcome all things considered. Feedback, time on task and error rate are all positive and suggest Microbiology labs performing better with this solution in their diagnostic work.