Using "no problem found" in infusion pump programing as a springboard for learnning about human factors engineering

A hospital took a second look at a device error with a syringe pump in which a dose of fentanyl was delivered in half the anticipated time. When the nursing staff could not reproduce the error, the pump was sent to biomedical engineering where "no problem was found." The biomedical staff subsequently performed another analysis, which led to discovery of the possible cause of the problem.

A human factors engineering (HFE) task force, in considering the fentanyl delivery issue, identified a need to educate nursing and engineering on such incidents and to consider the consequences of override features. The HFE task force then reviewed a tool kit for briefing clinical units on education of staff on clinical safety issues.

Efforts to maximize device customization or simplification can have negative HFE consequences. The decision to allow for function overrides or nontraditional equipment use must be weighed against the potential compromises in patient safety.

The problems that arise from the interface between humans and devices are not limited to intravenous pumps or even medical devices. Awareness of the potential for HFE design flaws can be critical in reducing harm in health care.