Human Factoring Healthcare

Abstract

Even in a just culture, preventable or avoidable adverse events can often be attributed to a failure to follow recognized, evidence-based best practices or guidelines at the individual and/or system level. Investigations of adverse events have heightened the awareness of the need to redesign systems and processes to prevent human error. Despite the existence of considerable information about how to improve care through the application of human factors, healthcare professionals are not provided a means to ensure sufficient education in healthcare human factors and the impact on patient safety. Additionally, even when existing knowledge is taught, providers are challenged to translate and apply knowledge to affect safe patient care. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS) Healthcare Human Factors Modules were designed to address these challenges by combining dissemination of existing knowledge and recent research into accessible, hands-on activities that drive home human factors and patient safety competencies. These modules represent an innovative and engaging way to allow providers and administrators alike the ability to advance the shift to systems thinking through high-impact education.

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