Human Factors Team Research Articles

The critical role of engineering in the rapid development of COVID-19 diagnostics: Lessons from the RADx Tech Test Verification Core.

Engineering plays a critical role in the development of medical devices, and this has been magnified since 2020 as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 swept over the globe. In response to the coronavirus disease 2019, the National Institutes of Health launched the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative to help meet the testing needs of the United States and effectively manage the pandemic. As the Engineering and Human Factors team for the RADx Tech Test Verification Core, we directly assessed more than 30 technologies that ultimately contributed to an increase of the country's total testing capacity by 1.7 billion tests to date. In this review, we present central lessons learned from this "apples-to-apples" comparison of novel, rapidly developed diagnostic devices. Overall, the evaluation framework and lessons learned presented in this review may serve as a blueprint for engineers developing point-of-care diagnostics, leaving us better prepared to respond to the next global public health crisis rapidly and effectively.

Applying Human Factors to Modify and Design Healthcare Workspaces and Processes in Response to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present unique challenges to healthcare organizations around the world. Members of a provincial Human Factors team supported several workspace design projects prompted by the pandemic. This article highlights some of the challenges identified in a selection of these projects. It also presents the human factors methods and recommendations that were used to improve workspace designs, processes, and patient safety in healthcare environments.

Ethics in Quality Improvement Projects: Experiences of a Human Factors Team.

The Alberta Health Services Human Factors (HF) team completes many quality improvement projects involving human participants and requires a robust and efficient ethics process. The team has developed an ethics process utilizing ARECCI (A pRoject Ethics Community Consensus Initiative), wherein HF specialists review their project for alignment with a reference project. The reference project captures a broad range of work that the HF team may lead or support in some way, and it has a corresponding series of countermeasures that have been created to address ethical risks. While some challenges remain, the process has largely allowed the team to meet its ethics goals.

How a Human-Centered Design Process Transformed the User Experience of Graft Preparation in the Operating Room

In this case study, the human-centered design process used by the Industrial Design and Human Factors (IDHF) team at Johnson & Johnson MedTech in developing the SPEEDTRAP™ Graft Preparation System is overviewed. This article describes three broad efforts to “Understand” needs within knee soft tissue repair procedures and potential opportunities; “Explore” possible solutions through conceptual development, prototyping, and usability testing; and “Materialize” the refinement and delivery of the SPEEDTRAP™ Graft Preparation System. The key results for each broad effort are described.

The Impact of Human Critical Success Factor on ERP System Implementation

<p><em>Many researchers have investigated the critical success factors in ERP system implementation. The previous study has examined four primary human critical success factors (competence, behavior, team composition, and communication) and based on study literature performed by the author, there were many studies found that top management support also has crucial role in ERP implementation. The objective of this study is to examine the impact of top management support, competence, behavior, team composition, and communication in ERP implementation.</em><em>This study was conducted in three stages. First, review sources and scientific literature relevant to this research. Second, analyze the findings and recommendations of previous research to determine the component of variable x. Third, conduct research using a quantitative approach through a questionnaire survey. </em><em>Questionnaires were distributed to employees from various company that involved directly in ERP implementation. </em><em>This study found that all five variables positively correlated to project success and only team composition variable that significantly positively correlated to project success. This study offers ERP project managers the crucial factors needed to be concerned for the project success.</em></p><p><strong><em>Keywords: </em></strong><em>ERP, Human Critical Success Factors.</em></p><p><em><br /></em></p>

Awareness of Human Factors in the operating theatres during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the priorities at our large Operating Theatres Department is to support awareness and basic education of the multi-disciplinary teams in clinical Human Factors, to help build competence and capacity in healthcare towards a resilient system. From May 2019 until February 2020, our Human Factors Champions embarked on a project called Observation of Non-technical Skills and Teamwork in the operating theatres (ONSeT), to monitor and evaluate the benefits of local Human Factors education. In September 2020, six months after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the UK and caused a major disruption of surgical services, we decided to investigate the usefulness of the project and the impact of COVID-19 in the operating theatres, looking through the eyes of the Human Factors Champions. Results pointed to a consensus about ONSeT having helped during the pandemic, with regards to how teams worked and in enabling team leaders to be more responsive. Human Factors Champions found that feedback on performance was received in a non-threatening way and observation of performance became ‘second nature’. As organisations need to develop critical thinking, we think that the ONSeT project has helped us build some capacity for this, from the front-line onwards.

Developing an Integrated Energy System Interface for Electricity-Hydrogen Hybrid Nuclear Operations

Nuclear power plants are looking towards integrated energy systems to address the challenges faced by increasing competition from renewable energy and cheap natural gas in wholesale electricity markets. Electricity-hydrogen hybrid operations is one potential technology being explored. As part of this investigation a human factors team was integrated into the overall engineering project to develop a human system interface (HSI) for a novel system to extract steam for a coupled hydrogen production process. This paper presents the process used to perform the nuclear specific human factors engineering required to develop the HSI for this novel and unprecedented system. Furthermore, the early integration of the human factors team and the meaningful improvements to the engineering of the system itself in addition to the successful development of the HSI for this particular application are described. Lastly, the HSI developed is presented to demonstrate the culmination of the process and disseminate a potential HSI design for electricity-hydrogen hybrid operations that may be useful for others exploring similar integrated energy systems concepts.

New way of learning in the nuclear industry: space simulation as a tool for vocational knowledge and work practices acquisition

Purpose This study aims to contribute to the project to overhaul Common Training for Nuclear Workers (Commune Intervenant du Nucléaire – CIN) aimed at service providers involved in maintenance on nuclear power plants (NPPs). Design/methodology/approach The study is devised as a methodology for designing and assessing a training system (work operation scenarios and steering method) and draws on a qualitative methodology through group interviews and observations during situational training. More specifically, the aim is to devise a training system that would enable trainees to gain a better understanding of activity in the nuclear sector, its execution, its challenges and its requirements, and to make them able to think and act individually and collectively to contend with the various types of work situations. Findings The results of this study confirm the relevance of providing different pedagogical orientations that emphasise the activity over the previous task-oriented and top-down approach. The instructors–trainees and trainees–trainees interactions take place in an open and dynamic space with an important interindividual variability to promote active learning that is based on the joint discovery and analysis of real work by the collective. In this context, the co-presence of the participants is more important than the task at stake. Moreover, this new way of learning is a challenge for the instructors and trainees, as well as for training designers. Practical implications Moreover, this new way of learning is a challenge for the instructors and trainees, as well as for training designers, and has to be taken into consideration when designing training programs. Originality/value This operational research work is being conducted by researchers, as well as industry professionals, and enjoys special access to the constrained environment of NPPs. Several studies conducted by the Organisational and Human Factors team of EDF Research and Development (Couix and Boccara, 2015; Fucks and Boccara, 2014) have focused on the effectiveness of training. In particular, they found that to be effective, training must faithfully reflect the real-life work situations of the future environment in which the worker trainees will be active.

HUMAN FACTORS INTEGRATION IN SUBMARINE SPATIAL DESIGN

BAE Systems Submarines undertakes large scale, highly complex design programmes and this paper provides a summary of the work undertaken by the Human Factors Team to integrate their role into the spatial aspects of the design process in one such programme. The challenge is being addressed from four key directions i.e. Leadership & Infrastructure, Interdisciplinary Engagement, Supporting Processes and Tools & Techniques. This multidirectional approach has improved collaboration and consequently design outputs. Lessons learned relating to the approaches taken and outcomes inform Human Factors Integration Plans for future projects as well as improve relevant activities, especially the design and completion of relevant documentation. Some aspects of the work such as the formal noncompliance process are being applied to other work areas within Human Factors, have the potential to be rolled out across the wider business and may have applications in a diverse range of industries where programme complexity can make traceability of decision making and customer acceptance challenging.

The Importance of Testing Sets of Clinical Alarm Sounds and Navigating Tradeoffs to Translate Research Findings into Implementation

Despite noticeable efforts over the last 30 years to try and resolve the clinical alarm problem, the utilization of opinion-based and nonscientific alarm interventions has resulted in ineffective solutions. The field of human factors offers many insights to permanently solving the burdens of this problem, however often times the field’s direct applications are not salient or tangible enough to organizational stakeholders. This has resulted in a utilization deficit of human factors principles in practice today. In order to progress the level of impact human factors has on the clinical alarm problem for the future, this paper discusses how a human factors team tested science-based clinical alarm solutions within a multidisciplinary medical center, and then navigated tradeoffs in order to implement these solutions into practice.

3D Games for Tuning and Learning About Hearing Aids

3D Games for Tuning and Learning About Hearing Aids

Human Factors Engineering at the Transportation Security Administration

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has three engineering psychologists within the Office of Security Capabilities (OSC) who address the human element for the Agency. While many activities and programs cannot be elaborated upon due to security restrictions, a few human factors activities will be reviewed. The human factors team is tasked with writing and reviewing acquisition documents, as well as participating in acquisition milestones that span the Acquisition Lifecycle Framework. The team also works to improve operational efficiency, training effectiveness and data mining efforts by examining how human factors and interactions can be optimized for various processes and procedures. The Office has several ongoing research efforts with a number of different performers to investigate a range of human-centered issues. For example, through the Risk-Based Security Workforce Transformation Group, hypotheses were presented regarding the specialization of Officers at the checkpoint: image analysis, passenger interface, and effective interaction. Industrial/Organizational psychologists match job task analysis competencies with batteries of assessments to test for attitudes, attributes and aptitudes that would be predictive of these competencies on the job. Additional human-centered efforts will be discussed throughout this paper.

DHM simulation in virtual environments: a case-study on control room design

This paper will present the workflow developed for the application of serious games in the design of complex cooperative work settings. The project was based on ergonomic studies and development of a control room among participative design process. Our main concerns were the 3D human virtual representation acquired from 3D scanning, human interaction, workspace layout and equipment designed considering ergonomics standards. Using Unity3D platform to design the virtual environment, the virtual human model can be controlled by users on dynamic scenario in order to evaluate the new work settings and simulate work activities. The results obtained showed that this virtual technology can drastically change the design process by improving the level of interaction between final users and, managers and human factors team.

The human factors evaluation program of a control room: The French EPR approach

AbstractThe aim of this article is to explain how a human factors evaluation program has been constructed over the last 10 years in the French energy company (Electricité de France [EDF]). This program evaluation is conducted by a human factors team from EDF Research and Development (R&D), specialized in ergonomics and involved in the EPR Project for the operating means and the control room design. Of course, other kinds of experts have been associated, such as designers, future end users, and current end users of control rooms. This article is focused on the methodology developed for this evaluation program. The test protocols, the characteristics of the sample, the data collection, and the data analysis are described to understand the qualitative approach performed and their interest for the French EPR. An example of an evaluation step, based on the simulation of the future activity, is described and discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Exploring the social and organisational aspects of human factors integration: A framework and case study

In this paper we first outline a framework which aims to capture some of the social and organisational aspects of human factors integration (HFI) which have been outlined by previous research. The framework was partly used to design a set of interview questions that were used with a case study of a human factors team working with the UK defence industry. The findings from the case study revealed a number of barriers which accord with previous research in the domain of HFI (e.g., attitudes and perceptions towards HF), as well as providing insights into the improvement strategies used by the HF team in order to improve HFI. These included attempts to build relationships and establish a working rapport with other groups in the company, as well as other activities aimed at addressing the organisational culture within the company as a whole (e.g., attempts to raise the profile of HF within the company). We use the framework for social and organisational aspects of HFI to discuss our findings alongside other research on group behaviour and boundary management within large organisations. The conclusions of the paper point to the utility of the framework as a means of planning HFI improvement strategies which can help to overcome some of the social and organisational barriers to HFI.

Association Testing-A Methodology for Selecting and Evaluating Audio Alerts

The Map Display (MD) system functions as a shared map which allows different parties at different location to communicate critical signals warning and advisory functions to users in aircraft, tanks, and other ground vehicle. The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether the audio alerts designed by the DSO Human Factors Team provided better user association than the audio alerts that existed in the MD system. The sounds in the MD system consisted of pure tones, while the new audio alerts were auditory icons designed to provide a higher level of user association. The work focuses on an initial effort to develop a methodology to select and improve the design of audio alerts (1. Ranking 2. Free Response Testing 3. Urgency Testing and 4. Conceptual Mapping Testing.) Further, the need to consider how experts and novices would perceive these audio alerts was experimentally demonstrated. Subjects were 30 males out of which 9 were army infantryman. Data were analyzed using a mixed design experiment. Results revealed that there was no significant difference between tones and icons when perceived urgency and matching was taken into consideration. In addition, this methodology was successful in identifying the poorly designed audio alerts and valuable feedback was gathered to improve the audio alert design.

Association Testing-A Methodology for Selecting and Evaluating Audio Alerts

The Map Display (MD) system functions as a shared map which allows different parties at different location to communicate critical signals warning and advisory functions to users in aircraft, tanks, and other ground vehicle. The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether the audio alerts designed by the DSO Human Factors Team provided better user association than the audio alerts that existed in the MD system. The sounds in the MD system consisted of pure tones, while the new audio alerts were auditory icons designed to provide a higher level of user association. The work focuses on an initial effort to develop a methodology to select and improve the design of audio alerts (1. Ranking 2. Free Response Testing 3. Urgency Testing and 4. Conceptual Mapping Testing.) Further, the need to consider how experts and novices would perceive these audio alerts was experimentally demonstrated. Subjects were 30 males out of which 9 were army infantryman. Data were analyzed using a mixed design experiment. Results revealed that there was no significant difference between tones and icons when perceived urgency and matching was taken into consideration. In addition, this methodology was successful in identifying the poorly designed audio alerts and valuable feedback was gathered to improve the audio alert design.

Aviation-Related Expertise and Usability

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Human Factors Team - Atlantic City conducted a usability assessment of the www.fly.faa.gov Web site to examine user satisfaction and identify site usability issues. The FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center uses this Web site to provide information about airport conditions, such as arrival and departure delays, to the public and the aviation industry. The most important aspect of this assessment was its use of quantitative metrics to evaluate how successfully users with different levels of aviation-related expertise could complete common tasks, such as determining the amount of delay at an airport. The researchers used the findings from this assessment to make design recommendations for future system enhancements that would benefit all users. They discuss why usability assessments are an important part of the process of evaluating e-government Web sites and why their usability evaluation process should be applied to the development of other e-government Web sites.

A Reporting System of Difficulties and Hazards in Hospital Wards as a Guide for Improving Human Factors and Safety

Cotemporary efforts for improving healthcare safety are almost exclusively dependent on the study of adverse events as their primary information source. Investigations of adverse events have had an important role and contribution to the recognition of the magnitude of the healthcare problem, but are of a limited scientific value. Error investigations are the wisdom of hindsight, based on partial and biased sample, lacking base rate reference and distorted by reporter's memory and interests. This paper describes an alternative approach based on self reports of medical staff, on daily reoccurring hazards and performance difficulties, representing human factors and safety aspects. Reports are evaluated by a human factors team, and corrective steps are proposed, and backed by management. We describe the logic and elements of the new approach, and bring results from four wards belonging to two hospitals. These results are compared with data obtained in 5 years, using conventional incident reporting systems.

Conducting large-scale multi-user user tests on the United Kingdom air defence command and control system

IBM was contracted to provide a new Air Defence Command and Control (ADCC) system for the Royal Air Force. The IBM Human Factors (HF) team was responsible for the design of the operations room, wor...