Applying human factors principles to alert design increases efficiency and reduces prescribing errors in a scenario-based simulation.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To apply human factors engineering principles to improve alert interface design. We hypothesized that incorporating human factors principles into alerts would improve usability, reduce workload for prescribers, and reduce prescribing errors.

Materials and methods

We performed a scenario-based simulation study using a counterbalanced, crossover design with 20 Veterans Affairs prescribers to compare original versus redesigned alerts. We redesigned drug-allergy, drug-drug interaction, and drug-disease alerts based upon human factors principles. We assessed usability (learnability of redesign, efficiency, satisfaction, and usability errors), perceived workload, and prescribing errors.

Results

Although prescribers received no training on the design changes, presc

SUBMITTER: Russ AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4173163 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature