Frontiers in human factors: integrating human factors and ergonomics to improve safety and quality in Latin American healthcare systems. (28th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aceves-González, Carlos; Rodríguez, Yordán; Escobar-Galindo, Carlos Manuel; Pérez, Elizabeth; Gutiérrez-Moreno, Beatriz; Hignett, Sue; Lang, Alexandra Rosewall
• Is Part Of: International journal for quality in health care. Volume 33(2021)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 45
• Page End: 50
• Publication Date: 2020-11-28
• Subjects: human factors -- healthcare -- LMICs -- improvement -- patient safety -- systems ergonomics; Medical care -- Quality control -- Periodicals; 362.1068
• DOI: 10.1093/intqhc/mzaa135
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-4505

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The importance of human factors/ergonomics (HFE) is well established in all high-reliability systems but only applied in the healthcare sector relatively recently. Across many sectors, low-/middle-income countries (LMICs) lag behind more economically developed countries in their application of this safety science, due to resource and, in some cases, awareness and expertise. Most previous applications of HFE related to occupational ergonomics rather than healthcare safety. Methods: The paper details how the reputation of HFE is being developed within healthcare communities of Latin America (LatAm), through increasing awareness and understanding of its role as safety science in the healthcare sector. It starts by articulating the need for HFE and then provides examples from Mexico, Colombia and Peru. Results: The practical examples for research and education illustrate a developing awareness of the relevance of HFE to the healthcare sectors in LatAm and an appreciation of its worth to improve health service quality and patient safety through healthcare community engagement. A new LatAm Network of HFE in Healthcare Systems (RELAESA) was formed in 2019, which has provided a platform for HFE advice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: There is a real opportunity in LatAm and other LMIC health services to make more rapid and sustainable progress in healthcare-embedded HFE than has been experienced within healthcare services of more developed nations.