title: Hazard analysis of a computer based medical diagnostic system.
abstract: Medical screening of sectors of the population is now a routine and vital part of health care: an example is cervical smear testing. There is currently significant interest in the possible introduction of semi-automated microscopy systems for cervical cytology and one such experimental system is now undergoing laboratory trials. A collaborative project has been set up to demonstrate the benefits and constraints that arise from applying safety-critical methods developed in other domains to such a diagnostic system. We have carried out a system hazard analysis, successfully using the HAZOP technique adapted from the petrochemical industry.
authors.affiliation: Cambridge Consultants Limited, UK.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Chudleigh
mesh_terms: D002984:Clinical Laboratory Information Systems / Q000592:standards*; D003199:Computer Systems / Q000592:standards; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000592:standards*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008403:Mass Screening; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D011786:Quality Control; D012984:Software / Q000592:standards; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods