Human Factors' Principles
While most care is delivered safely, we are all human and capable of making mistakes. While we cannot eliminate human fallibility, we can act to optimise best practice and to moderate and limit the risks.
Effective performance and efficiency are optimised when system factors are designed to accommodate the capabilities, limits and goals of people rather than simply requiring them to adapt.
Using human factors' principles can enhance patient safety and quality of care. To optimise the systems and processes that staff work in, a human factors approach is required. This supports the 'Safety II' concept that places the emphasis on considering what makes things go right, which includes ensuring staff are enabled to do their work in ways that work best.
This video provides a short introduction to human factors and a concept known as the Dirty Dozen.
Resources
For further information please contact us at cec-humanfactors@health.nsw.gov.au