Name: Acute Care
Brand: ECRI
SKU: NIL
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.6 (5 reviews)

Clinically Informed Human Factors Engineering

Designing safer systems, reducing harm, and empowering clinicians

Staff burnout, technology challenges, and inefficiencies create hidden risks that put both patients and clinicians in danger. The question isn’t whether safety improvements are needed—it’s how to make them achievable and lasting.

A System-Based Approach

ECRI’s team of highly skilled human factors engineers, or safety scientists, focuses on how people interact with tools, technologies, processes, and environments within healthcare systems. We specialize in identifying barriers to healthcare quality and safety and developing tailored solutions that improve workflows, enhance technology integration, minimize risks, and support healthcare professionals in delivering safer, more effective care. By designing systems that support the workforce, we reduce inefficiencies, strengthen patient safety, and drive better outcomes.

The Hidden Costs of Ineffective Safety Systems

$20B

lost annually to preventable medical errors

(Source: National Library of Medicine)

82%

of nurses identified fatigue as a contributing factor to medication errors and near misses

(Source: Stanford Medicine)

40%

of clinicians waste time on operational inefficiencies

(Source: NetSec.news)

Designing Safer, Smarter Systems

Human factors engineering (HFE) is an applied science that combines psychology and engineering. It transforms complex work systems to enhance safety, effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction.

Challenges We Solve

HFE ensures that people, processes, and technology work together seamlessly for safer, more efficient care.

Preventing Harm – Designing systems that eliminate errors before they occur
Reducing Cognitive Load – Minimizing distractions, alert fatigue, and information overload
Enhancing Technology Usability – Improving integration of electronic health records, medical devices, and automation for clinicians

Improving Teamwork & Communication – Strengthening handoffs and reducing miscommunication
Creating Safer Workflows – Eliminating
inefficiencies and high-risk workarounds

Impact Story

Health System Reduced Sepsis Mortality by 25% through HFE

Challenge: A multistate nonprofit health system faced rising sepsis mortality rates, with the Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock Mortality Index increasing.

Approach: ECRI human factors engineers identified key usability issues and systemic inefficiencies, leading to workflow modifications.

Results: 25% reduction in sepsis mortality since 2021, 700 lives saved through improved detection and treatment, and $30 million in cost savings from optimized workflows and reduced hospital stays

READ THE FULL STORY

HFE System Analysis℠ Solutions include:

Proactive Safety and System Design

Workflow and facility design to reduce risk
Usability testing and simulation-based assessments
Staff preparation through scenario-based simulations and product testing
Device selection improvement with human factors evaluation

Event Analysis and Harm Prevention

Root cause analysis and forensic safety reviews
Targeted interventions for high-risk processes
Analysis of near misses that uncovers underlying causes of safety incidents and implements targeted improvements