[A Side Wagon in the Outpatient Chemotherapy Unit Originally Designed and Newly Assembled with Consideration for not only Patient Amenities but also Infusion Management].

Abstract

Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, as a nationally designated Regional Cancer Hospital in Japan, opened a new Outpatient Chemotherapy Unit in September 2023. The unit is designed based on three fundamental concepts: "a comfortable space that gently supports patients," "a relaxing environment," and "a sense of security with access to advanced medical care." In the newly designed patient booths of the unit, a side wagon was originally designed and newly assembled to meet two key objectives: ⅰ. Prioritizing patient safety and amenity, allowing patients to use it as a table or for storing personal belongings. ⅱ. Enabling staff to place medication trays and equipment at the start of treatment, facilitating efficient infusion management and enhancing patient care. After incorporating various ideas to materialize our concept, a stainless steel three‒tiered wagon was completed, as the biggest innovation, with the middle tier being designed for a patient table that was adjusted to the height of the chair arms. The top tier can be used as space for staff to place medication trays, while the bottom tier can be used to store patients' belongings; it stands stably and has four castors so it can be moved freely. Our original side wagon has received high satisfaction from patients and has been well‒received by staff as well.