Brain Death Evaluation Mobile Application
A clinical decision-support application designed to improve clarity, consistency, and confidence in brain death determination through human-centered digital workflows.
Overview
Brain death determination is a critical and highly sensitive clinical process that requires strict adherence to established medical guidelines. Variability in training, experience, and documentation practices can introduce uncertainty and inconsistency into an already complex procedure.
The SMART Project was developed to support healthcare providers by translating the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) brain death determination guidelines into a structured, step-by-step mobile experience. The goal was not to replace clinical judgment, but to reinforce best practices, improve knowledge transfer, and support procedural standardization at the bedside.
• Date: December 2019 – 2020
• Principal Investigators:
Clotilde Balucani, MD; Jose I. Suarez, MD
• Institution:
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Role: UI/UX Designer / Product Designer
Design Challenge
How can a complex, high-stakes medical protocol be translated into a digital experience that supports accuracy, consistency, and clinician confidence—without disrupting clinical workflow or oversimplifying professional judgment?
Design Approach
The design approach treated the application as a clinical companion rather than a reference document. Emphasis was placed on clarity, sequencing, and cognitive support, recognizing that the app would be used in high-pressure environments where attention and time are limited.
Key considerations included:
- Supporting step-by-step procedural flow aligned with AAN guidelines
- Reducing cognitive load during critical decision points
- Reinforcing clinician confidence without replacing expertise
- Designing for bedside use across varying clinical contexts
Process & Decisions
Translated guideline documentation into clear, sequential interaction flows
Designed interfaces that prioritize readability, hierarchy, and state awareness
Used progressive disclosure to present information only when relevant
Integrated documentation and verification steps to support standardization
Collaborated closely with clinicians to validate terminology, sequencing, and tone
The interface was designed to guide attention and reduce ambiguity, helping clinicians remain aligned with protocol while maintaining autonomy.
Outcome & Reflection
The SMART Project demonstrates how thoughtful UX and product design can support clinical practice by shaping how information is accessed, interpreted, and acted upon in real time. By aligning interaction design with medical workflow, the application helps reinforce consistency and adherence without introducing friction or distraction.
This project deepened my understanding of design’s ethical responsibility in high-stakes domains. It continues to inform both my professional practice and teaching, particularly around how design decisions can directly affect trust, safety, and outcomes.