Human factors engineering for computer-supported identification and prevention of adverse drug events

This paper addresses the question of the integration of Human Factors (HF) methods and models within projects aiming at (semi-) automatically identifying and preventing Adverse Drug Events (ADE). While more traditional methods such as voluntary reporting systems of medication errors tend to focus on HF causes of preventable ADEs, computer-based screening and mining methods tend to rely on a medical model of ADEs. As a consequence, HF methods and concepts are rarely considered in those projects. The paper describes the way HF methods have been incorporated in the PSIP (Patient Safety through Intelligent Procedures in medication) project lifecycle. It provides some examples of the results obtained and demonstrates their relevance to improve the entire detection and prevention process.