Using human factors design principles and industrial engineering methods to improve accuracy and speed of drug selection with medication trays.

Chen DW, Chase VJ, Burkhardt ME, Agulto AZ. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2016;42:473-477.

Poor design can contribute to human errors and workarounds that introduce opportunities for mistakes. This commentary describes an initiative that applied human factors engineeringmethods to enlist nurses in redesigning medication trays. The project resulted in improved label visibility and medication administration efficiency. The authors highlight how frontline staff engagement contributed to the project's success and acceptance of the new equipment.

PubMed citation Available at