title: Applying hierarchical task analysis to improving the patient positioning for direct lateral interbody fusion in spinal surgery.
abstract: The present study brings together for the first time the techniques of hierarchical task analysis (HTA), human error identification (HEI), and business process management (BPM) to select practices that can eliminate or reduce potential errors in a surgical setting. We applied the above approaches to the improvement of the patient positioning process for lumbar spine surgery referred to as 'direct lateral interbody fusion' (DLIF). Observations were conducted to gain knowledge on current DLIF positioning practices, and an HTA was constructed. Potential errors associated with the practices specific to DLIF patient positioning were identified. Based on literature review and expert views alternative practices are proposed aimed at improving the DLIF patient positioning process. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to use BPM in association with HEI/HTA for the purpose of improving the performance and safety of a surgical process - with promising results.
authors: School of Information Technology and Mathematical Sciences, University of South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: Latif.Al-Hakim@unisa.edu.au.
authors: Latif
authors: L
authors: Al-Hakim
authors: Oncology Department, Bangkok Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Tanaphon
authors: T
authors: Maiping
authors: Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, UK.
authors: Nick
authors: N
authors: Sevdalis
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000379:methods*; D061214:Patient Safety; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
keywords: Business process management; Hierarchical task analysis; Human error identification