Technology is often sought out as a way to reduce errors, improve the diagnostic process and provide ongoing monitoring of our patients in new and innovative ways. However, we have learned that there is danger in magical thinking with the use of technology, “If we only had…. all our problems would be solved.” Often, when we implement new technology, we trade one set of problems for another and fail to identify and mitigate those problems in the design and implementation of a new approach. Technology can offer solutions, but only when designed with the user in mind. In this session, participants will learn how to use a human factors approach to the design and implementation of technology. We’ll share lessons learned with examples from around the world and participants will develop a plan to assess existing and future technology to ensure that it has been designed to support how work is done, and to design interventions to deal with existing poor designs.

The objectives of this workshop are to:

• Discuss the role of human factors in the design and use of technology in healthcare.


• Describe the process of testing technology to accommodate the human condition.


• Develop a plan for your organization to improve the safety of technology in use.

Amelia Brooks, Senior Director, IHI; USA
Frank Federico, Vice President, IHI; USA