Enhancing the quality of use: human factors at Philips

1997 ◽  
pp. 147-158
Author(s):  
Patrick Jordan ◽  
Bruce Thomas ◽  
Bronwen Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors

scholarly journals Effects of COVID-19 on Sense of Smell: Human Factors/Ergonomics Considerations

2021 ◽  
pp. 001872082199016
Author(s):  
E. Leslie Cameron ◽  
Per Møller ◽  
Keith S. Karn
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
System Communication ◽  
Human System ◽  
Sense Of Smell ◽  
Primary Means ◽  
Human Sense ◽  
Smell Loss

Objective We review the effects of COVID-19 on the human sense of smell (olfaction) and discuss implications for human-system interactions. We emphasize how critical smell is and how the widespread loss of smell due to COVID-19 will impact human-system interaction. Background COVID-19 reduces the sense of smell in people who contract the disease. Thus far, olfaction has received relatively little attention from human factors/ergonomics professionals. While smell is not a primary means of human-system communication, humans rely on smell in many important ways related to both quality of life and safety. Method We briefly review and synthesize the rapidly expanding literature through September 2020 on the topic of smell loss caused by COVID-19. We interpret findings in terms of their relevance to human factors/ergonomics researchers and practitioners. Results Since March 2020 dozens of articles have been published that report smell loss in COVID-19 patients. The prevalence and duration of COVID-19-related smell loss is still under investigation, but the available data suggest that it may leave many people with long-term deficits and distortions in sense of smell. Conclusion We suggest that the human factors/ergonomics community could become more aware of the importance of the sense of smell and focus on accommodating the increasing number of people with reduced olfactory performance. Application We present examples of how olfaction can augment human-system communication and how human factors/ergonomics professionals might accommodate people with olfactory dysfunction. While seemingly at odds, both of these goals can be achieved.

Transition from an Open Bay to a Private Room Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Design — A Human Factors Evaluation

2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (11) ◽  
pp. 974-978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Smith ◽  
Sandra Clayton ◽  
Kathleen Schoenbeck
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Patient Care Team ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Technology

This report summarizes findings from a human factors evaluation of a change in the design of a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) from an open bay (OBNICU) to a private room (PRNICU) patient care environment. The objective was to compare and contrast effects of this design change on the perceptions and performance of NICU patient care staff. Results indicate that, relative to work on the OBNICU, staff perceived that work on the PRNICU resulted in notable improvements in the quality of physical environmental conditions, their jobs, patient care and patient safety, interaction with parents of NICU patients, interaction with patient care technology and their life off-the-job. In contrast, staff perceived that the quality of interaction among different members of the NICU patient care team worsened substantially after the move to the PRNICU. The latter finding prompted the recommendation that a virtual open bay environment be implemented in the PRNICU.

Human Factors Engineering Planning Aid

1987 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 350-352
Author(s):  
Stephen C. Merriman
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Human Factors Engineering ◽  
Planning Time ◽  
Acquisition Process ◽  
Engineering Program ◽  
System Acquisition ◽  
The Military ◽  
Made In

This paper describes the application of affordable program management software to the task of planning human factors programs conducted in support of complex system developments. A model of the military system acquisition process was developed and a model human factors engineering program was overlayed upon it. Interdependencies were created between the models so that changes made in the acquisition schedule would cause the human factors program to be automatically tailored. This approach has potential to reduce planning time and increase the quality of human factors plans.

scholarly journals Ergonomics - Future Perspectives

1976 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. McCormick
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Human Factors Engineering ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Work Activities ◽  
Basic Task ◽  
Basic Distinction ◽  
The Military

Ergonomics (a synonym for human factors engineering) has contributed significantly to fundamental effectiveness of people, but needs a new emphasis and wider applications in future. A basic distinction is drawn between the areas of application and the focus of ergonomists. Although applications have been relatively successful in the military and industrial fields, ergonomics should also be applied to consumer products, architecture, transportation and recreation. In future, the primary challenge will be to improve the "quality of life" by enhancing human satisfaction and allowing people to function at higher value levels. In work activities the basic task of ergonomics has been to simplify and standardise jobs, but future focus should be on enlargement and enrichment of jobs. Because of individual differences probably not all jobs could be made completely satisfactory to all workers. However, significant contributions could be made through continued efforts to “humanise” work activities.Opsomming Ergonomika ('n sinoniem vir "human factors engineering") het reeds heelwat bygedra tot die doeltreffende funksionering van die mens, maar nuwe gesigspunte en toepassingsvelde sal in die toekoms nodig wees. 'n Fundamentele onderskeid word getref tussen die gebiede van toepassing en die fokus van beoefenaars van die ergonomika. Hoewel toepassings in die militêre en industriële sfere redelik suksesvol was, behoort ergonomiese beginsels ook op verbruikerswese, argitektuur, vervoer en ontspanning toegepas te word. Die grootste uitdaging in die toekoms sal egter wees om "lewenskwaliteit" te verbeter deur tevredenheid te verhoog en mense te help om doeltreffender te leef en in die proses hoër waardevlakke te handhaaf. In werksaktiwiteite was die hoofdoel tot dusver om werk te standaardiseer en te vereenvoudig, maar dit word al hoe noodsaakliker dat poste verruim en verryk moet word. Waarskynlik sal alle poste nie vir alle bekleërs volkome bevredigend gemaak kan word nie, maar dit sou tog nuttig wees om heelwat meer aandag aan die "humanisering" van werksaktiwiteite te gee.

Management of the deteriorating adult patient: does simulation-based education improve patient safety?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Bennion ◽  
Stephanie K Mansell
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Adult Patient ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Improve Patient Safety ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Educational Method ◽  
Simulation Based ◽  
The Impact

Failure to recognise the deteriorating patient can cause severe harm and is related to preventable death. Human factors are often identified as contributing factors. Simulation-based education is used to develop clinicians' human factors skills. This article discusses the evidence concerning the efficacy of simulation-based education for improving the recognition and management of the acutely deteriorating adult patient, and the limitations of simulation-based education. Findings demonstrated simulation-based education was the most effective educational method identified for training staff in recognising unwell patients. The evidence demonstrating the impact of simulation-based education on patient outcomes was equivocal. The quality of the evidence was low grade regarding the efficacy of simulation-based education on human factors. Further research is required to confirm the efficacy of simulation-based education for human factors and patient outcomes.

Thanatology and Human Factors

2019 ◽  
pp. 251-280
Author(s):  
Alexis R. Neigel ◽  
Gabriella M. Hancock
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Design Process ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Life Domain ◽  
Life And Death ◽  
Military Robots ◽  
Pain And Suffering

The chapter discusses the ergonomic and human factors issues surrounding life and death in terms of 21st century design. In this chapter, the authors describe how current limitations in technologies that are specifically designed to be lethal afford greater pain and suffering than necessary. As human factors is a science dedicated to improving the quality of life, it is necessary to critically examine the end-of-life domain, which is an area of research that has been largely neglected by ergonomic practitioners. By providing an overview of the current research in several area including euthanasia, remotely executed lethal operations, and fully autonomous military robots, the authors demonstrate the need to consider morality and ethics in the design process.

scholarly journals Considering the Dynamics of FDA Human Factors ValidationRequirement: Implications of Failure and Need to Ensure ProjectSuccess - A Conceptual Framework

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 234-247
Author(s):  
Katia M. Rojas ◽  
Nasser Sharareh ◽  
Leon Cosier ◽  
Daryl L. Santos
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Human Factors Engineering ◽  
Causal Loop Diagram ◽  
Common Goal ◽  
Product Success ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Feedback Structure

Recognizing the role of human factors engineering (HFE) in the development of medical devices and combination products that involve devices, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now requires human factors (HF) validations before market approval. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products are safe and effective through the application of HFE. However, key stakeholders are still learning and developing capabilities to adapt to the regulatory component. Nonetheless, the lack of the corresponding HF capabilities hinders compliance with the FDA’s expectations, and though ultimate success. No known previous work has looked into FDA HF validation projects to assess the underlying factors and implications of failed submissions. Applying system dynamics (SD), a causal loop diagram (CLD) was developed. CLDs are useful for the exploration of the causal interactions among factors or variables, as well as the underlying feedback structure of a complex system. This work can serve to help manufacturers better understand the FDA’s HF requirement to enable overall product success. Further, with patient safety as a common goal, HF service providers (HFSPs) and regulators should be aware of the need to ensure the consistent quality of the HF element in premarket submissions.

scholarly journals ANÁLISE DOS FATORES HUMANOS E CONDIÇÕES DE TRABALHO EM OPERAÇÕES DE IMPLANTAÇÃO FLORESTAL

FLORESTA ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Da Silva Lopes ◽  
Janaine Vosniak ◽  
Nilton César Fiedler ◽  
Mário Takao Inoue
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
High Weight ◽  
Work Conditions ◽  
Left Hand ◽  
High Incidence

Este trabalho teve por objetivo analisar os fatores humanos e condições de trabalho nas operações de implantação florestal. A coleta dos dados ocorreu por meio de entrevistas realizadas com 48 trabalhadores florestais das atividades de coveamento, plantio e adubação. Os resultados indicaram que a média de idade dos trabalhadores foi de 31,7 anos, estatura de 170,1 cm e peso de 74,2 kg; 77,9% eram de origem rural, 58,9% eram casados e 77,5% não concluíram o Ensino Fundamental. Quanto ao tempo de serviço na empresa, a média foi de 30,4 meses e o tempo médio de experiência na função foi de 23,0 meses. Em relação à lateralidade, 58,3% dos trabalhadores da atividade de coveamento eram destros e 41,7% eram canhotos, o que podendo influenciar na adaptação dos trabalhadores para a execução da operação. A elevada incidência de dores nas pernas (40,7%) e nas costas (30,3%) foi afirmada pelos trabalhadores do coveamento como sendo causada pelo elevado peso do equipamento. O capacete com viseira foi apontado pelos trabalhadores como causa de dores de cabeça e dificuldade de visão, e as luvas como causa de umedecimento das mãos e perda de sensibilidade, situações que podem dificultar o manuseio do perfurador de solo no trabalho.Palavras-chave: Implantação florestal; fatores humanos; qualidade de vida. AbstractHuman factors and work conditions analysis in forest planting operations. The aim of this research was to analyze human factors and work conditions in forest planting operations. Data were collected by interviews with 48 workers of hole-digging, planting and fertilizing activities. The results indicated that the workers average age was 31.7 years, height 170.1 cm and body weight 74.2 Kg. 77.9% were of rural origin, 58.9% were married and 77.5% did not reach basic schooling. The average job time in the company was 30.4 months and the average time of activity experience was 23.0 months. Most (58.3%) of the workers of hole-digging were dexterous and 41.7% were left-hand, which may influence the adaptation of workers in operation of the equipment. The high incidence of leg (40.7%) and back pain (30.3%) was affirmed by the workers of hole-digging as caused by the high weight of the equipment. The helmet with visor was appointed by workers as cause of headaches and vision difficulty and gloves were identified as cause to wet hands and hardly handling punch land in work.Keywords: Forest planting; human factors; quality of life.

An Improved Undergraduate Human Factors Course: Three Results

1983 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 455-458
Author(s):  
Richard Halstead-Nussloch ◽  
Mark C. Detweiler ◽  
M. Peter Jurkat ◽  
Elissa L.A. Hamilton ◽  
Leon S. Gold
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Experimental Methods ◽  
Design Solution ◽  
Course Enrollment ◽  
Stevens Institute ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Institute Of Technology

The undergraduate human factors course was improved at the Stevens Institute of Technology. The objectives of the course improvement were twofold: 1) to increase the quality of the course, and 2) to increase enrollment. Computer-based modules were developed and implemented to achieve these objectives. Three primary findings emerged from their use. First, students finished the course with a firm grounding in the empirical and experimental methods of human factors. Second, students generated more design solution alternatives by using the modules. Third, course enrollment increased by seventy-five percent.

A Pre-Prototyping Framework to Explore Human-Centered Prototyping Strategies During Early Design

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salman Ahmed ◽  
H. Onan Demirel
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Product Development Process ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Human Factors Engineering ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Hands On ◽  
The Right

Abstract Current prototyping frameworks are often prompt-based and heavily rely on designers’ experience. The lack of systematic guidelines in prototyping activities causes unwanted variation in the quality of the prototype. Notably, there is limited, or no prototyping framework exists that enables human factors engineering (HFE) guidelines be part of the early product development process. In this paper, a pre-prototyping framework is proposed to render human-centered design strategies to guide designers before the hands-on prototyping activity starts. The methodology consists of extracting key factors related to prototyping and human factors engineering principles based on an extensive literature review. The key elements are then combined to form the prototyping categories, dimensions (theory), and tools (practice). The resulting prototyping framework can be used to develop prototyping strategies consist of theoretical guidelines and practical tools that are needed during the prototyping of human-centered products. The framework provides systematic guidance to designers in the early stages of the design process so that designers, in particular novices in ergonomics and human factors, can have a head start in building the prototypes in the right direction. Finally, a case study is presented to demonstrate a walk-through and efficacy of the proposed pre-prototyping framework.

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