Human Factors Applied to Perioperative Process Improvement

Joseph R Keebler; Elizabeth H Lazzara; Elizabeth Blickensderfer; Thomas D Looke

doi:10.1016/j.anclin.2017.10.005

Human Factors Applied to Perioperative Process Improvement

Anesthesiol Clin. 2018 Mar;36(1):17-29. doi: 10.1016/j.anclin.2017.10.005.

Authors

Joseph R Keebler¹, Elizabeth H Lazzara², Elizabeth Blickensderfer², Thomas D Looke³

Affiliations

¹ Human Factors, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 600 South Clyde Morris Boulevard, Office 401.09, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA. Electronic address: joekeebler@gmail.com.
² Human Factors, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 600 South Clyde Morris Boulevard, Office 401.09, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA.
³ Department of Anesthesiology, Florida Hospital, Winter Park, FL, USA; US Anesthesia Partners-Florida, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA; Florida Hospital, Orlando, FL, USA.

PMID: 29425596
DOI: 10.1016/j.anclin.2017.10.005

Abstract

This article discusses some of the major theories of the science of human factors/ergonomics (HF/E) in relation to perioperative medicine, with a focus on safety and errors within these systems. The discussion begins with human limitations based in cognition, decision making, stress, and fatigue. Given these limitations, the importance of measuring human performance is discussed. Finally, using the HF/E perspective on safety, high-level recommendations are provided for increasing safety within the perioperative environment.

Keywords: Bias and decision making; Human factors; Information processing; Medical errors; Performance assessment; Safety; Stress and fatigue.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Ergonomics
Humans
Medical Errors / prevention & control
Perioperative Care / methods*
Quality Improvement*
Workload