An app that takes the strain off care staffpflemi

The mobile pflemi app, which is available for iOS and Android, is digitising a process that used to involve a lot of paperwork for care service specialists. Where previously aids had to be searched for in paper catalogues and a PDF had to be filled out manually for all customers and each individual aid, the app provides a new solution: pflemi is an aid catalogue, customer database and digital form assistant in one - and makes it possible to send completed aid applications directly to the relevant medical supply stores. In this way, pflemi helps to reduce the administrative burden on care professionals.

So let's have a look at the technical foundation of pflemi. We developed the app using the Firebase platform. As a BAAS (Backend as a Service), Firebase not only provides the pure backend, but also offers numerous functions - including user management and data storage. User data such as e-mail addresses, passwords, customer data and tool recommendations are stored directly in Firebase. Data that should only be stored locally on the user's end device, e.g. the logged-in user profile, onboarding progress or personal signature, is covered by the NoSQL database Hive.

We used the Flutter framework for the front end of the app. This is because Flutter enables the use of a single code base - for both the iOS and Android environments. For state management, we relied on BLoC (Business Logic Component), which is based on streams and works with events. We also integrated the SendGrid online service for sending emails. The search function in the resource catalog is made possible by Algolia.

To ensure the best possible user experience, we analyzed the needs and pain points of the target group and derived possible solutions. From the requirements of the care professionals, it quickly became clear that the app should be one thing above all: simple and straightforward to use. The focus was therefore on a good UX for the main feature.

It is particularly important for care professionals to be able to fill out the recommendations for their customers quickly and clearly as a digital form on a daily basis. This form must be accessible from various places in the app. Wireframes were created in Miro to take all edge cases into account. This was then used as the basis for the layout phase, which was concluded with the final functional prototype in Figma.

The focus on the essentials and on optimising the recommendation process for care aids is reflected in the look and feel of pflemi. The app has a clean, minimalist and modern design.

The clear design supports the user with an intuitive usage. There are no distractions from unnecessary features and care professionals can benefit from the fact that processes that used to be characterised by paper chaos and confusion are now combined in one app.

pflemi is an app that uses smart technology to make the day-to-day work of care professionals easier. The app depicts the digital transformation of a previously analogue process. Of course, there are still numerous other issues in the care sector that need to be addressed on the way towards the digitalisation of the healthcare system.

However, pflemi is leading the way as a positive example and is already demonstrating how digitalisation can be achieved step by step. The app is continuously being optimised based on feedback from care professionals and can be expanded with additional features in the future.