Airflow4 Clinical Trial Patient Screening Guide Design

Project Overview

This clinical trial patient screening guide case study demonstrates how structured layout design, icon-driven communication, and checklist organization were used to create a clear, efficient screening tool that supports fast eligibility assessment during patient intake.

Client: Nuvaira
Client Location: Minneapolis, MN
Industry: Clinical Research / Healthcare
Project Type: Patient Screening Guide Design
Deliverables: Double-Sided Screening Guide (.pdf)
Purpose: Support fast patient pre-qualification and eligibility screening
Use Case: Exam room reference and intake screening tool for physician staff
Distribution: Digital and printed guides used during patient intake and evaluation

Client Background

Challenge

Design Approach

Deliverables

Services Provided

Results

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Project Summary

This patient screening guide was developed as part of the Airflow4 clinical trial materials to support physician staff in quickly identifying eligible patients. Unlike patient-facing materials, this piece was designed as an internal tool, balancing high-density clinical criteria with the need for fast, at-a-glance usability. The final guide combines a simplified front-facing overview with a detailed eligibility checklist on the reverse, enabling efficient screening during real-world clinical workflows. This screening guide was developed as part of the Airflow4 Clinical Trial Materials System, supporting internal workflows alongside patient-facing recruitment materials.

Client Background

Nuvaira is a medical device company focused on developing therapies for people with obstructive lung disease, particularly COPD. The company’s clinical research program includes the AIRFLOW studies, which evaluate a bronchoscopic treatment designed to improve outcomes for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These studies rely on clear, structured materials to support both patient recruitment and clinical workflow efficiency across participating sites.

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Challenge

Translating dense clinical eligibility criteria into a fast, usable screening tool

The screening guide needed to condense a large amount of clinical eligibility information into a format that physician staff could use quickly during patient intake. The content was dense, highly specific, and required careful organization to avoid overwhelming the user.

At the same time, the guide needed to support two distinct functions: a quick visual scan to identify potential candidates and a detailed checklist for confirming eligibility. Fitting both levels of information into a single double-sided layout required careful planning to maintain readability while preserving all required clinical detail.

Design Approach

The guide was structured to separate high-level screening from detailed validation. The front side uses an icon-driven layout to provide a quick visual overview of key eligibility indicators, allowing staff to assess potential fit within seconds. The reverse side transitions into a detailed checklist, supporting deeper evaluation once a patient meets initial criteria.

Because this tool is used in time-sensitive clinical environments, the layout was designed to reduce cognitive load and support rapid information processing. Print materials are proven to require less mental effort to process, with studies showing a 21% reduction in cognitive effort, making them more effective for communicating complex information in fast-paced decision-making scenarios (Temple University | Neural Decision Making Study | 2026).

Special attention was given to spacing, grouping, and checklist formatting to ensure that even dense information remained readable. The checklist was carefully structured with clear separation between criteria, allowing users to move through the screening process without losing their place.

The file was also built using paragraph and character styles, creating a reusable system that supports consistency across all Airflow materials and simplifies future updates.

Icon-Driven Screening Overview

Front-facing layout provides fast visual cues for identifying potential patient eligibility.

Structured Eligibility Checklist

Detailed back-side checklist organizes complex criteria into a clear, step-by-step screening process.

Dense Content Optimization

Careful spacing and grouping allow large amounts of information to remain readable and usable.

Workflow-Aligned Layout

Designed specifically for real-world intake and exam room use by clinical staff.

Scalable File System

Paragraph and character styles ensure consistency across updates and related materials.

Blueleaf Creative Delivered

A structured clinical screening tool designed to support fast decision-making and consistent eligibility evaluation across clinical sites.

Design

  • Patient screening guide layout design
  • Eligibility criteria organization and checklist structuring
  • Custom icon development for visual screening cues
  • Visual hierarchy optimization for dense content
  • Compliance-aware formatting

Technical

  • Adobe InDesign file setup with paragraph and character styles
  • File organization supporting ongoing updates
  • Structured layout system for consistency across Airflow materials

Print

  • Print-ready file preparation for print production (.pdf)

Services Provided

This project focused on patient screening guide design and structured layout development, creating an internal clinical tool that supports efficient eligibility evaluation and consistent screening workflows.

Flyer Design

Marketing Materials Design

Results

The Airflow4 screening guide improved how clinical staff evaluate patient eligibility by organizing complex criteria into a structured, easy-to-follow format. The separation between quick screening indicators and detailed checklist criteria allows staff to move efficiently through the intake process without unnecessary backtracking.

The icon-driven front layout enables rapid initial assessment, while the detailed checklist ensures that all required criteria are reviewed consistently. This dual-level structure supports both speed and accuracy in clinical decision-making.

The final design also improves long-term usability. The structured file system and consistent formatting allow updates to be made more efficiently as study requirements evolve, reducing friction for internal teams managing trial materials.

FASTER PATIENT SCREENING

through clear separation of quick-check indicators and detailed eligibility criteria

IMPROVED CLINICAL WORKFLOW

with a layout designed specifically for intake and exam room use

CONSISTENT TRIAL MATERIALS SYSTEM
across all clinical study applications

Airflow4 Results Summary

Result Area Outcome Impact
Screening Efficiency Separated quick visual screening from detailed eligibility checklist. Allowed staff to evaluate patients faster during intake.
Content Clarity Dense clinical criteria organized into structured, readable sections. Improved accuracy and reduced confusion during evaluation.
Workflow Alignment Layout designed specifically for real-world clinical use. Supported smoother intake and exam room processes.
Long-Term Usability Style-based file system supports consistent updates. Reduced effort required for future revisions and study changes.

Meet the Designer Behind This Project

Leah Dossey designs catalogs and brochures with one goal in mind. Help you win more business. With 22+ years in print and digital design, I design catalogs that are easy to understand, on brand, and press-ready. You get clear communication, smart layout decisions, and files that move through production without surprises.

If your company needs help organizing technical information into clear, professional marketing materials, Blueleaf Creative can help.

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Serving clients nationwide and locally in Houston, Spring, The Woodlands, and Conroe.

Graphic designer, Leah Dossey holding a blue business card at Blueleaf Creative firm

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