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Suggestions of human factors

I want to thank Mary Stahl for her informative article about using a systematic approach to selecting technology for the PCU ("An Upstream Approach to Selecting Progressive Care Technology," August 2003:75–78).

Over the past few years, I have been a student of human factors and usability testing. Human factors is the study of how humans, machines, and other work tools interface with each other. Here are a few suggestions of human factors that might assist your readers with technology procurement in any setting.

• How intuitive is the equipment? Can a nurse walk up to the machine and understand what to do, or are lengthy inservices and education required to "figure it out"? Well-designed equipment should make it easy to do the right thing and hard to do the wrong thing.
  
• Are multiple steps necessary to "set up" the equipment? The more steps there are, the more likely it is that an individual will lose her place and omit a critical step.
  
• Is the equipment easy to lift, move, and store? The technology and equipment we use should make our work easier, not harder.
  

Check out the Web if you’re interested in further information about human factors. I find this field of study to be relevant not only for purchasing decisions, but for any situations related to humans and their work tools, tasks, and environments.

Deborah Huber, RN, MHSA
Henderson, Nev

This Article Full Text (PDF) Respond to This Article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Huber, D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Huber, D.