Abstract
The present discussion panel addresses the need and possible approaches for providing integrative and inclusive human factors design of medical work units. An associated question is whether such a design perspective can be achieved without the instantiation of in house human factors teams. While recognition of the general importance and possible contribution of human factors to efficiency and safety of health care is on the rise and is accompanied by a rapidly growing body research and publications; to date its focus has been mainly on individual systems and isolated work procedures. An important overlooked requirement is for a coherent and inclusive design of the global work unit (operating theater, hospital ward, neonatal unit, etc, etc), much the same way in which the overall configuration of an airplane cockpit or a process control room are considered. Furthermore, can such an inclusive perspective of work units be achieved, unless health care institutes establish in house human factors teams? These are the topics to be evaluated.
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