Setting the Requirements for a User-Friendly Infusion Pump

Abstract

The infusion pump is a commonly used piece of equipment at the Intensive Care Unit. The pumps often are from different manufacturers and have different handling characteristics. The ICU is a dynamic environment, with periods of calm interrupted by periods of very high activity and mental load. Infusion pumps are often involved in reported incidents. The purpose of this study was to set requirements for a user interface for an infusion pump, using a systematic human factors approach. The method used consisted of field studies at an ICU, a critical evaluation of two pumps presently used at this ICU and an analysis of reported incidents which involved infusion pumps. Both pumps in the evaluation had a number of latent errors. Two types of incidents relating directly to the user interface were found, both of which could be traced back to latent errors. A number of requirements were set with the purpose of reducing the risks of the two types of incidents occurring and reducing the mental load of the user. Using these requirements, a new interface for an existing volumetric pump was designed.