Development of a Manually Operated Communication System (MOCS) for patients in intensive care units

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Clinical Communication

Background:

• Nonvocal patients in intensive care units (ICUs) face significant communication barriers.
• Existing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools are often inaccessible or unavailable in critical care settings.
• Limited manual dexterity hinders traditional communication methods like writing for many ICU patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an innovative, non-touchscreen communication system for nonvocal ICU patients.
• To address the need for accessible communication tools for patients with manual dexterity impairments.
• To create a speech-output device prioritizing simplicity and flexibility for critical care environments.

Main Methods:

• Design and development of the Manually Operated Communication System (MOCS).
• Focus on hand-operation, non-touchscreen interface, and speech output capabilities.
• Incorporation of design principles including simplicity and flexibility for ICU use.

Main Results:

• A novel communication tool, MOCS, was successfully developed.
• MOCS is a speech-output technology specifically for nonvocal patients.
• The system is designed for individuals with manual dexterity limitations preventing legible writing.

Conclusions:

• The Manually Operated Communication System (MOCS) has the potential to enhance communication for nonvocal ICU patients.
• MOCS may offer a viable solution for patients with impaired manual dexterity.
• This innovation addresses a critical gap in communication accessibility in intensive care settings.