This brief read discussed some of the misconceptions about human factors for healthcare improvement. It’s open access, so you can read the paper yourself. They discuss where training interventions are likely to be appropriate vs not appropriate. More appropriate uses is: · To help familiarise people with new tools or functions, which should include strengths and… Continue reading The science of human factors: separating fact from fiction
Tag: accidents
When Things Go Right: Safety II in an Academic Emergency Department
This study explored variability and ED clinician proactive adaptations in order to enhance safety in the face of demands and pressures. Data was based on a cross-sectional survey. Background: · Patient safety, according to one agency, is defined as “the prevention of errors, injury, or other preventable harm and reduction of unnecessary harm” · They… Continue reading When Things Go Right: Safety II in an Academic Emergency Department
Human Factors and New Views of safety applied to management systems: A systematic literature review
This conference paper from Leonidas Brasileiro, Julio Cesar de Faria Alvim Wasserman and Gilson Brito Alves Lima may interest you. It explored how different concepts under HF and New View have been applied to management systems via literature review (2000 – 2023). Note: I’ve skipped a lot, so check out the paper. Some extracts: · “New… Continue reading Human Factors and New Views of safety applied to management systems: A systematic literature review
The harms of promoting ‘Zero Harm’
This brief editorial discussed some challenges to zero harm approaches (‘absolute safety’) in healthcare. I particularly liked how the author argued that not only is zero harm not attainable, in an absolute sense, but “is unknowable”. Some points: · The authors encourage shifting away from ‘absolute safety’ “towards doing a better job of actively managing risk,… Continue reading The harms of promoting ‘Zero Harm’
Safety checklist compliance and a false sense of safety: New directions for research
This discussion paper explored the checklists and false senses of safety. In healthcare they say that probably the best known version of the checklist is the WHO surgical safety checklist. Prior work has generally shown positive effects, like reduced care complications and 30-day mortality rate. Interesting though, studies on compliance rates of the WHO checklist… Continue reading Safety checklist compliance and a false sense of safety: New directions for research
Seeking a scientific and pragmatic approach to safety culture in the North American construction industry
This study from Sherratt, Szabo and Hallowell unpacked the concept of safety culture, with a focus on US construction. I’ve skipped heaps and can’t do this justice, so check out the full paper. Ultimately, they “argue for the elimination of safety culture from the safety science lexicon”. Background Off the bat they say: “It is… Continue reading Seeking a scientific and pragmatic approach to safety culture in the North American construction industry
Identifying risks and emergent risks across sociotechnical systems: The NETworked Hazard Analysis and Risk Management System (NETHARMS)
I found this pretty interesting from Dallat, Salmon and Goode, exploring a new systems-based risk assessment method called NETworked Hazard Analysis and Risk Management System (NET-HARMS). One key focus on NET-HARMS was revealing the harder to find emergent risks that emerge via interactions. WAY too much to cover in this paper – I’ve skipped large… Continue reading Identifying risks and emergent risks across sociotechnical systems: The NETworked Hazard Analysis and Risk Management System (NETHARMS)
SafetyInsights.org 