Methodology for a Combined Evaluation of Cognitive and Physical Ergonomics Aspects of Medical Equipment

Book chapter, 2010

To achieve efficient use and high patient safety in work with medical equipment, it is important to evaluate both physical and cognitive ergonomics aspects of the devices. The aim of this paper is to describe an analytical methodology of a joint systematic search for potential deficiencies in the human-machine interaction; such as high physical and mental workload, use errors, usability problems, and physical ergonomic errors. The methodology is task-based, which makes it possible to use both with focus on the device design, as in development projects; as well as with focus on the procedure, as in a hospital setting. The methodology has successfully been tested in the development process of a dialysis machine.