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Human factors in anaesthesia: a narrative review.

Kelly, F.E.; Frerk, C.; Bailey, C.R.; Cook, T.M.; Ferguson, K.; Flin, R.; Fong, K.; Groom, P.; John, C.; Lang, A.R.; Meek, T.; Miller, K.L.; Richmond, L.; Sevdalis, N.; Stacey, M.R.

Authors

F.E. Kelly

C. Frerk

C.R. Bailey

T.M. Cook

K. Ferguson

K. Fong

P. Groom

C. John

A.R. Lang

T. Meek

K.L. Miller

L. Richmond

N. Sevdalis

M.R. Stacey



Abstract

Healthcare relies on high levels of human performance, as described by the 'human as the hero' concept. However, human performance varies and is recognised to fall in high pressure situations, meaning that it is not a reliable method of ensuring safety. Other safety-critical industries embed human factors principles into all aspects of their organisations to improve safety and reduce reliance on exceptional human performance; there is potential to do the same in anaesthesia. Human factors is a broad-based scientific discipline which aims to make it easy as possible for workers to do things correctly. The human factors strategies most likely to be effective are those which 'design out' the chance of an error or adverse event occurring. When errors or adverse events do happen, barriers are in place to trap them and reduce the risk of progression to patient and/or worker harm. If errors or adverse events are not trapped by these barriers, mitigations are in place to minimise the consequences. Non-technical skills form an important part of human factors barriers and mitigation strategies and include: situation awareness; decision making; task management; and team working. Human factors principles are not a substitute for proper investment and appropriate staffing levels. Although applying human factors science has the potential to save money in the long term, its proper implementation may require investment before reward can be reaped. This narrative review describes what is known about human factors in anaesthesia to date.

Citation

KELLY, F.E., FRERK, C., BAILEY, C.R., COOK, T.M., FERGUSON, K., FLIN, R., FONG, K., GROOM, P., JOHN, C., LANG, A.R., MEEK, T., MILLER, K.L., RICHMOND, L., SEVDALIS, N. and STACEY, M.R. 2023. Human factors in anaesthesia: a narrative review. Anaesthesia [online], 78(4), pages 479-490. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/anae.15920

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 8, 2022
Online Publication Date Jan 11, 2023
Publication Date Apr 30, 2023
Deposit Date Nov 10, 2022
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Anaesthesia
Print ISSN 0003-2409
Electronic ISSN 1365-2044
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 78
Issue 4
Pages 479-490
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/anae.15920
Keywords Human factors; Ergonomics; Patient safety; Anaesthesia; Non-technical skills education and training
Public URL https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1805519
Related Public URLs https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1822843 (Guidelines)