Reimagining antibiotic delivery at home: Designing a wearable cool-infuser

As antimicrobial resistance (AMR) intensifies, hospitals face increased pressure due to the high demand for bed spaces and the associated risks of hospital-acquired infections. Outpatient Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) offers a solution by enabling patients to receive life-saving intravenous antibiotic treatments in the community rather than in hospitals. However, temperature-sensitive antibiotics can degrade when exposed to heat, creating design challenges in OPAT settings. Current antibiotic infusion devices focus on the clinical need and outcomes of treatment, leaving room to improve the holistic patient experience of living with the device. Through a human-centred design approach, this project develops a
Wearable Cool Infuser that reimagines antibiotic delivery to address the challenges associated with AMR treatment through OPAT. This study evaluates the tradeoff between efficacy and usability by prioritising patient feedback and experience
throughout the development process. The resulting prototypes reveal how a usercentric functionality can lead to improved quality of life for OPAT patients.