Designers for healthcare

Medical Metrolines COVID-19

Co-design during corona turmoil

In the first days of the covid outbreak in the Netherlands, hospitals were confronted with large groups of patients. In the province of Noord-Brabant, the hospitals rapidly went through the escalation stages green (ICU at usual level), orange (some planned operations postponed) and red (all non-urgent operations cancelled). Meanwhile, the necessary protective equipment had to be arranged and thousands of care workers had to be trained.

Overview for care workers and employees

The designers of Panton were eager to offer support (after all, we are the design agency for healthcare!). We proposed to the members of the VVCZ (hospitals cooperating on patient safety) to develop a Medical Metro Line which made it clear to everyone which patient should go to which department. Raymond van Zunderd, OR operations manager of the Radboudumc immediately became enthusiastic and involved colleagues from the ICUs and ORs. Dymphie de Garde, OR project officer at Amphia Hospital, also joined in to share her knowledge. In rapid tempo, the green, orange and red Medical Metro lines for COVID-19 patient flows were developed in co-creation.

Those who would like to be inspired, for their hospital, by the extensive Medical Metroline for Covid-19 patient flows of the Radboudumc, can download it .

Medical Metro lines are exclusive to members of the VVCZ, but for this one the VVCZ and the Radboudumc make an exception. Everyone recognizes the importance of sharing experiences in order to stand stronger together against corona.

Mapping treatment options

Marion van der Kolk, surgeon and former intensivist at the Radboudumc, immediately returned to her old profession and started working in the ICU. Just like Sasja Mulder, medical oncologist, with whom Van der Kolk already worked closely on care pathways and the implementation of shared decision making. They were concerned about whether, in the hectic circumstances of COVID-19, enough time was devoted to a good discussion with patients and their families about the various (treatment) options. They approached us to create another Medical Metro Line for the Radboudumc. This time, it would include all the moments where a meaningful discussion could take place, as well as complete pre-treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare programmes. Two or three times a week a large team of healthcare professionals consulted Panton in short video calls at the end of their intensive working day, to pass on the latest experiences and changes and to decide together what was best for the groups of patients.

Do you want to work together on tomorrow's care?
Get in touch with Jasper Brands