Human Factors Analysis of Infection Prevention Practices in the Anesthesia Work Environment

摘要

The department of anesthesia for a Washington, D.C. hospital engaged the MedStar NationalrnCenter for Human Factors in Healthcare to identify opportunities for improving the anesthesia workrnenvironment with aims to mitigate the risk of pathogen transmission during operating room procedures.rnThe human factors approach included operating room visits for observation and thematic analysis tornidentify emerging themes. Process inconsistencies in hand hygiene and cleaning practices were indicativernof system vulnerabilities, including organizational influences and the design of the physical environment.rnWork-space design recommendations as well as strategies to improve infection control processes andrnsafety culture are presented.