Human factors: should your medical devices require intensive care?
The design of a medical device should include active consideration of the way in which real users will actually use the device in the real environment of use. This consideration must include making the way in which the user interfaces with the device, for example, the buttons, the displays, the connections, such that the user can complete their tasks without error and without undue burden. This consideration of realistic user needs is addressed by the discipline of human factors.
Hyman
William A
WA
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University College Station, TX 77843-3120, USA. w-hyman@tamu.edu
D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D004869:Equipment Safety; D004864:Equipment and Supplies / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000379:methods*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps / Q000009:adverse effects; D007440:Intubation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013594:Syringes / Q000009:adverse effects; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis