Filter Need Statements

In the operating rooms, there is a need to reduce the interference of the overhead lights with surgeon and nurse mobility.

  • Year 2012
  • Location China
  • Themes Ergonomics and SafetyGeneral Surgery

During procedures that require heavy use of the electrocautery, there is a need to prevent the loss of functionality of the electrocautery when used for prolonged periods of time at a high power setting.

  • Year 2012
  • Location China
  • Themes General SurgeryInstrument Functionality

When breaking/cutting large uterine tumors for extraction, there is a need for a way to do so without the risk of losing pieces of the tumor within the abdominal cavity.

  • Year 2012
  • Location China
  • Themes Procedural ImprovementWomen's Health

There is a need for a laparoscopic linear cutter that will always fully cut through the two sides of the tissue that it is separating.

  • Year 2012
  • Location China
  • Themes Instrument FunctionalityMinimally Invasive SurgeryProcedural Improvement

There is a need for a more precise method of dissecting tissue that can cut as fast as the electrocautery without discharging sparks that can damage nearby tissue.

  • Year 2012
  • Location China
  • Themes General SurgeryInstrument Functionality

During total knee arthroplasties, there is a need to reduce the risk of surgeon skin contact with blood splatter in order to prevent the spread of blood borne illnesses.

  • Year 2012
  • Location China
  • Themes Ergonomics and SafetyProcedural Improvement

There is a need for medical equipment labels to be understood by all Chinese operating room staff in order to increase the operators’ ease of use.

  • Year 2012
  • Location China
  • Themes Procedural ImprovementTraining Methods

During repair of tibia fracture with an IM nail, there is a need for better way to ream out the tibial diaphysis that does not require the surgeon to strain by reaching up high.

  • Year 2012
  • Location China
  • Themes Ergonomics and SafetyMinimally Invasive SurgeryProcedural Improvement

During thyroidectomies, there is a need for a more efficient method to hold open the incision.

  • Year 2012
  • Location China
  • Themes Instrument FunctionalityMinimally Invasive SurgeryProcedural Improvement

During open surgery, there is a need for an inexpensive and non-intrusive way to video record the area within and around the surgical site.

  • Year 2012
  • Location China
  • Themes General SurgeryOperation VisibilityTraining Methods

For some complicated surgeries, there is a need to keep all surgical instruments within an easily reachable distance of the scrub nurse at his/her side table.

  • Year 2012
  • Location China
  • Themes Ergonomics and SafetyGeneral SurgeryProcedural Improvement

While using some electrocauteries, there is a need to prevent surgeons from being electrically shocked on the hand from the connection between the instrument and the power cable.

  • Year 2012
  • Location China
  • Themes Ergonomics and SafetyGeneral SurgeryProcedural Improvement

I was drawn to the GHDI program because of its emphasis on collaborating with stakeholders when designing for social impact. What most surprised me about the program was how easy it was for my team to collaborate with our hospital counterparts in Ghana. This fact alone demonstrates the program’s dedication to maintaining meaningful relationships with its hospital partners which I think sets the program apart from the rest.

Caroline Soyars, 2015 GHDI Academic Program Participant in Kumasi, Ghana

What to Know About The Global Health Design Initiative

Program History

Program History

GHDI has been working with stakeholders for more than eight years to identify and address global health design challenges. Learn more about our history and core values.

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Project Outcomes

Project Outcomes

Since inception, we have worked on projects in maternal health, family planning, minimally invasive surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and more. Explore our past and current projects.

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Get Involved

Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved in global health work with GHDI. From taking on a need statement, to participating in an opportunity, or becoming a partner.

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