The role of human factors in neonatal patient safety

The relationship between the fields of human factors and patient safety is relatively nascent but represents a powerful interaction that has developed in only the last twenty years. Application of human factors principles, techniques, and science can facilitate the development of healthcare systems, protocols, and technology that leverage the enormous and adaptable capacity of human performance while acknowledging human vulnerability and decreasing the risk of error during patient care. This chapter will review these concepts and employ case studies from neonatal care to demonstrate how an understanding of human factors can be applied to improve patient safety.