TY - GEN
T1 - Reducing human errors through cognitive design of a radiotherapy chart
AU - Auerbach, Y.
AU - Sela, R.
AU - Straucher, Z.
AU - Rogachov, M.
AU - Klimer, O.
AU - Bar-Deroma, R.
AU - Carmi, R.
AU - Kuten, A.
AU - Pollack, S.
AU - Gopher, D.
PY - 2005
Y1 - 2005
N2 - The radiotherapy chart is the main communication tool in the radiotherapy unit at the Rambam Medical Center. It is a form used by multiple team members to convey information and register treatment orders. It is also a major documentation and quality assurance tool. Proper design and representation of information in the chart is hence crucial for individual team members and for a shared understanding of the medical patient status and position in the radiotherapy process. As such, the chart has a direct influence on treatment quality and on the patient's safety and health. The design approach included a systematic, three stages, human factors analysis: A general analysis of the radiotherapy unit, a cognitive analysis of the existing radiotherapy chart, and a redesign stage. Analysis of the existing chart showed many mismatches between the present design, the required information and the ability to efficiently guide work procedures. These deficiencies may lead to a variety and sometimes critical mistakes and errors. Solutions to cognitive usability problems that were found were the basis for a new design of the chart, which is at present being tested by the unit.
AB - The radiotherapy chart is the main communication tool in the radiotherapy unit at the Rambam Medical Center. It is a form used by multiple team members to convey information and register treatment orders. It is also a major documentation and quality assurance tool. Proper design and representation of information in the chart is hence crucial for individual team members and for a shared understanding of the medical patient status and position in the radiotherapy process. As such, the chart has a direct influence on treatment quality and on the patient's safety and health. The design approach included a systematic, three stages, human factors analysis: A general analysis of the radiotherapy unit, a cognitive analysis of the existing radiotherapy chart, and a redesign stage. Analysis of the existing chart showed many mismatches between the present design, the required information and the ability to efficiently guide work procedures. These deficiencies may lead to a variety and sometimes critical mistakes and errors. Solutions to cognitive usability problems that were found were the basis for a new design of the chart, which is at present being tested by the unit.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=44349144295&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:44349144295
SN - 0415375568
SN - 9780415375566
T3 - Healthcare Systems Ergonomics and Patient Safety: Human Factor, a Bridge Between Care and Cure - Proceedings of the International Conference HEPS 2005
SP - 337
EP - 340
BT - Healthcare Systems Ergonomics and Patient Safety
T2 - International Conference on Healthcare Systems Ergonomics and Patient Safety: Human Factor, a Bridge Between Care and Cure, HEPS 2005
Y2 - 30 March 2005 through 2 April 2005
ER -