Using simulation to iteratively test and re-design a cognitive aid for use in the management of severe local anaesthetic toxicity

IntroductionCognitive aids, such as a guideline for the management of severe local anaesthetic (LA) toxicity, are tools designed to help users complete a task. Human factors experts recommend the use of simulation to iteratively test and re-design these tools. The purpose of this study was to apply human factors engineering principles to the testing and iterative re-design of three existing cognitive aids used for the management of severe LA toxicity and to use these data to develop a ‘new’ cognitive aid.MethodsTwenty anaesthetist–anaesthetic assistant pairs were randomised into four groups. Each of the first three groups received one of three different existing cognitive aids during a standardised simulated LA toxicity crisis. Postsimulation semistructured interviews were conducted to identify features beneficial and detrimental to the format and usability of the aid. Synthesis of the interview data with established checklist design recommendations resulted in a prototype aid, which was subjected to further testing and re-design by the fourth group (five more pairs) under the same conditions thus creating the final iteration of the new aid.ResultsFeatures of the new aid included a single-stream flowchart structure, single-sided, large-font design with colour contrast, simplified instructions and no need for calculations. This simplified tool contains only the information users reported as essential for the immediate crisis management.ConclusionsUtilisation of formative usability testing and simulation-based user-centred design resulted in a visually very different cognitive aid and reinforces the importance of designing aids in the context in which they are to be used. Simplified tools may be more appropriate for use in emergencies but more detailed guidelines may be necessary for training, education and development of local standard operating procedures. Iterative simulation-based testing and re-design is likely to be of assistance when developing aids for other crises, and to eliminate design failure as a confounder when investigating the relationship between use of cognitive aids and performance.

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The Adult Human Hand: Some Anthropometric and Biomechanical Considerations

Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ◽

10.1177/001872087101300204 ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 117-131 ◽

Cited By ~ 137

Author(s):

John W. Garrett

Keyword(s):

Human Factors ◽

Dynamic Loads ◽

Human Hand ◽

Human Factors Engineering ◽

Performance Parameters ◽

Male And Female ◽

Adult Human ◽

High Dynamic ◽

And Performance

Recent studies of the anthropometry and selected biomechanical characteristics of hands are summarized. These include: (1) conventional anthropometry of male and female hands, (2) the anthropometry of the relaxed hand, (3) comparison of certain engineering anthropometric and performance parameters between bare and pressure-gloved hands, and (4) the ability to retain grips on selected handles under high dynamic loads. The utility of these data for human factors engineering is discussed.

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Topics in Inclusive Design for the Graduate Human Factors Engineering Curriculum

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/1541931213601583 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 61 (1) ◽

pp. 403-406

Author(s):

Clive D’Souza

Keyword(s):

Human Factors ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Inclusive Design ◽

Human Factors Engineering ◽

Engineering Curriculum ◽

User Centered Design ◽

Full Spectrum ◽

Human Functioning ◽

Disability Prevalence ◽

And Performance

The confluence of demographic trends in aging and disability prevalence, increased expectations among workers and consumers with and without impairments, and greater reliance on complex yet pervasive technologies (e.g., automation, internet of things) has resulted in an increased emphasis on designing for human-system performance and accommodation across the full spectrum of human abilities. Inclusive design or universal design (UD) is one of the few user-centered design paradigms that advocate consideration for the full spectrum of human abilities, including individuals with and without disabilities. A graduate-level course was developed and implemented to introduce ergonomics and human factors students to the UD paradigm and to UD goals and principles using select academic and non-academic readings, and assignments related to multivariate statistics, field observations, and design of experiments. The course placed an emphasis on the fundamentals and research base in ergonomics in relation to UD research and practice, viz., topics related to variability in human functioning and performance associated with anthropometry, biomechanics, perception and cognition. Alongside the motivations for the course, this paper provides an overview of the course objectives, topics covered, and some early lessons learned.

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