An extended hierarchical task analysis for error prediction in medical devices

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Medical Device Usability
• Human Factors Engineering

Background:

• Volumetric infusion pumps are critical medical devices with complex user interfaces.
• Usability issues and human error in device operation can lead to patient harm.
• Existing evaluation methods may not fully capture the nuances of human-device interaction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an extended hierarchical task analysis (eHTA) methodology for evaluating user interfaces of volumetric infusion pumps.
• To compare the usability and potential for human error across different infusion pump models.
• To provide a framework for predicting user errors at the human-device interaction level.

Main Methods:

• Applied an extended hierarchical task analysis (eHTA) framework to six volumetric infusion pumps.
• Utilized Norman's Action Theory to analyze common user tasks.
• Divided the evaluation into the device's external interface and the user's internal cognitive world.
• Conducted a detailed comparative analysis of two pumps on two tasks.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated significant variations in the usability and error-proneness of current volumetric infusion pumps.
• Identified specific areas where user interface design contributes to human error.
• The eHTA methodology effectively predicted potential user errors in human-device interactions.

Conclusions:

• The developed eHTA methodology is a valuable tool for assessing the usability of medical devices.
• The findings underscore the need for improved user interface design in infusion pumps to reduce usage errors.
• This approach can enhance human performance evaluation and error prediction for medical devices.