PILLARS
AN EHR DESIGNED TO SAVE LIVES AND TIME
— Built to Endure the Unknown —
AN EHR DESIGNED TO SAVE LIVES AND TIME
— Built to Endure the Unknown —
company
Alice
TAGS
Product Vision - desktop - health
Vision - desktop - health
Year
2019
Problem
Problem
Problem
In Alice’s early days, I worked closely with Henry Hirshfield, then head physician. EHRs weren’t the focus yet, but he raised a chilling concern: “The way people use the system today might kill a patient in the future.”
The problem was serious — Using existing solutions, multiple patient tabs could be opened at once, inviting dangerous mix-ups. Information was either overwhelming or incomplete, leading to burnout or critical oversights.
“No EHR out there gets this right,” he said.
Fortunately, the moment was right. With the company focused on scale and form filling eating up most of each appointment, we had a chance to "heal" both issues with one smart solution.
In Alice’s early days, I worked closely with Henry Hirshfield, then head physician. EHRs weren’t the focus yet, but he raised a chilling concern: “The way people use the system today might kill a patient in the future.”
The problem was serious — Using existing solutions, multiple patient tabs could be opened at once, inviting dangerous mix-ups. Information was either overwhelming or incomplete, leading to burnout or critical oversights.
“No EHR out there gets this right,” he said.
Fortunately, the moment was right. With the company focused on scale and form filling eating up most of each appointment, we had a chance to "heal" both issues with one smart solution.
Tech inspiration
Tech inspiration
Tech inspiration
The first step was talking to trusted engineers. The “Pillar” concept emerged from a front-end dev inspired by flexboxes and a backend engineer describing independent systems coexisting and communicating on the same screen. They became our go-to partners for feasibility and technical insight.
The first step was talking to trusted engineers. The “Pillar” concept emerged from a front-end dev inspired by flexboxes and a backend engineer describing independent systems coexisting and communicating on the same screen. They became our go-to partners for feasibility and technical insight.
Pillars's was made following a strict set of constraints about future content allocation and behaviour.
Pillars's was made following a strict set of constraints about future content allocation and behaviour.
Pillars's was made following a strict set of constraints about future content allocation and behaviour.
concept
concept
concept
“Henry, let’s do this.” He didn’t hesitate.
Alongside our day-to-day responsibilities, we began shaping what would later be known as Pillars: Alice's unique health software. From the get go we decided it had to abide by some core concepts:
Variable use cases — sometimes varying in the middle of an appointment
Control of Infomation density — suggested and also user controlled
One tab only — No chance for mistaking patients
Suggestive automation — Health professionals always make the decision
Modular architecture — A system that enables efficient placement and scaling of new features over time.
“Henry, let’s do this.” He didn’t hesitate.
Alongside our day-to-day responsibilities, we began shaping what would later be known as Pillars: Alice's unique health software. From the get go we decided it had to abide by some core concepts:
Variable use cases — sometimes varying in the middle of an appointment
Control of Infomation density — suggested and also user controlled
One tab only — No chance for mistaking patients
Suggestive automation — Health professionals always make the decision
Modular architecture — A system that enables efficient placement and scaling of new features over time.
Information density control was a key feature of Pillars, be it automatic or defined by the user.
Information density control was a key feature of Pillars, be it automatic or defined by the user.
Information density control was a key feature of Pillars, be it automatic or defined by the user.
RESULTS
RESULTS
RESULTS
We ran several qualitative tests with the health team, and the feedback was strong. But without hard data, it was tough to push such a big initiative forward. Then, the CEO reached out to me: "Naif, the health team is over my head asking for Pillars. They love it. Let's do it."
We ran several qualitative tests with the health team, and the feedback was strong. But without hard data, it was tough to push such a big initiative forward. Then, the CEO reached out to me: "Naif, the health team is over my head asking for Pillars. They love it. Let's do it."
41% appointment time reduction
41% appointment time reduction
Cut appointment documentation time from ~1h47m to ~1h03, shifting it back to where it matters most: doctor–patient interaction.
Cut appointment documentation time from ~1h47m to ~1h03, shifting it back to where it matters most: doctor–patient interaction.
100% Satisfaction
100% Satisfaction
By the medical team (users), highlighting the ability to control information density as a key improvement.
By the medical team (users), highlighting the ability to control information density as a key improvement.
0 Risk assured
0 Risk assured
Eliminated risk of patient profile mix-ups, a safeguard against critical, life-threatening errors.
Eliminated risk of patient profile mix-ups, a safeguard against critical, life-threatening errors.
Designed for scale, the 'Pillars' architecture demonstrated the flexibility to serve as a robust backoffice foundation across industries in any market.
Designed for scale, the 'Pillars' architecture demonstrated the flexibility to serve as a robust backoffice foundation across industries in any market.
Special thx to Henry, Silvia and Cesar
