A review of the use of human factors classification frameworks that identify causal factors for adverse events in the hospital setting

Various human factors classification frameworks have been used to identified causal factors for clinical adverse events. A systematic review was conducted to identify human factors classification frameworks that identified the causal factors (including human error) of adverse events in a hospital setting. Six electronic databases were searched, identifying 1997 articles and 38 of these met inclusion criteria. Most studies included causal contributing factors as well as error and error type, but the nature of coding varied considerably between studies. The ability of human factors classification frameworks to provide information on specific causal factors for an adverse event enables the focus of preventive attention on areas where improvements are most needed. This review highlighted some areas needing considerable improvement in order to meet this need, including better definition of terms, more emphasis on assessing reliability of coding and greater sophistication in analysis of results of the classification.

Practitioner Summary: Human factors classification frameworks can be used to identify causal factors of clinical adverse events. However, this review suggests that existing frameworks are diverse, limited in their identification of the context of human error and have poor reliability when used by different individuals.     

Errors in working with office computers: A first validation of a taxonomy for observed errors in a field setting

An action‐oriented taxonomy of errors in human‐computer interaction in the office differentiated four classes: functionality problems, usability problems, interaction problems, and inefficient behavior. Functionality problems were differentiated in how they affect the action process. Usability problems were differentiated according to levels of action regulation and steps in the action process. For example, conscious strategies were differentiated from automatic ones. To examine the taxonomy's construct validation, several hypotheses regarding error‐handling time, need for external support, complexity at work, and novices versus experts were tested in a field study of 198 clerical workers at 11 German companies and 7 small firms. A total of 1,749 errors were observed within a 2‐hour period, 1,306 were rated concordantly by two re‐raters. As expected, errors resulting from conscious regulation and functionality problems needed more error‐handling time than errors resulting from more automatic actions. There were more thought and memory errors at workplaces with high complexity. The most external support was needed for knowledge errors. Novices committed more knowledge errors and experts more habit errors. Practical implications are discussed both for software development and training.     

An efficient design and validation technique for secure handover between 3GPP LTE and WLANs systems

Future generations wireless systems, which integrate different wireless access networks together, will support a secured seamless mobility and a wide variety of applications and services with different quality of service (QoS) requirements. Most of the existing re-authentication protocols during vertical handover still have certain limitations such as man in the middle, eavesdropping and session hijacking attacks, and unacceptable delay for real time applications. In this article, we propose two re-authentication schemes to secure handover between 3GPP LTE and WLANs systems: Initial Handover Re-authentication Protocol, and Local Re-authentication Protocol. The second proposed protocol is executed locally in a WLAN network without contacting the authentication server of the home network for credentials verification. In fact, after a successful execution of the Initial Handover Re-authentication Protocol, the local key (LK) is shared between USIM and the authentication server of the WLAN. It is then used for securing handover and traffic in WLAN networks. Performance evaluation results obtained using simulation analysis show that the proposed re-authentication protocol enhances handover parameters such as handover latency, handover blocking rate and packet loss rate. Additionally, the proposed enhanced fast re-authentication protocol has been modeled and verified using the software AVISPA and is found to be safe.     

Development and validation of a novel portable slip simulator

The objective was to develop, construct and validate a portable device suitable for measurements of pedestrian slip resistance in situ. The developed device proved to be precise enough and easy to use. The dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) values measured by it showed strong correlation (r> or = 0.990, p < 0.001) with the values measured by the force platform used as a reference. In addition, the measured DCOF values were in good consistency with those obtained when using the older laboratory device of the Institute, the slip simulator. Based on the use of the new, developed device it can be concluded that accurate friction measurements with actual footwear can be performed even with a moderate-sized but portable device. The developed slipmeter will be used to measure slipperiness of various walking surface conditions, e.g. at different work places and in walkways, in the near future.     

基于CNN-SVM的护理不良事件文本分类研究

针对当前医院护理不良事件上报的内容多为非结构化文本数据,缺乏合理明确的分类,人工分析难度大、人为因素多、存在漏报瞒报、人为降低事件级别等问题,提出一种基于字符卷积神经网络CNN与支持向量机SVM的中文护理不良事件文本分类模型。该模型通过构建字符级文本词汇表对文本进行向量化,利用CNN对文本进行抽象的特征提取,并用SVM分类器实现中文文本分类。与传统基于TF-IDF的SVM、随机森林等多组分类模型进行对比实验,来验证该模型在中文护理不良事件文本分类中的分类效果。     

The many faces of inheritance: a taxonomy of taxonomy

One of the most important considerations in constructing object-oriented software is the methodology of inheritance: how to use this mechanism well. The paper presents a taxonomy comprising twelve kinds of inheritance usage grouped into three broad categories: model inheritance; software inheritance; and variation inheritance     

一种联合抽取疾病、药物以及副作用事件的方法

近几年,关于从医药文献中抽取药物副作用事件的研究,得到了广泛的关注。以前的研究多采用先识别疾病和药物实体后判断实体之间关系的流水线模型。本文提出了一种联合抽取疾病、药物及药物副作用事件的方法。该方法利用结构感知机算法训练模型,并采用多波束搜索算法进行解码。相比于流水线模型,联合抽取方法一方面能够减少错误传播,另一方面能够利用实体识别和关系抽取的交互作用进一步提升整体效果。实验结果表明,联合方法的效果优于流水线方法。另外,本文提出的方法可以有效的扩展到其他领域的实体关系抽取系统。     

The ParlEuNet-project: problems with the validation of socio-constructivist design principles in ecological settings

Current proposals for the design of technologically supported learning environments are heavily influenced by socio-constructivist ideas about learning and instruction. While numerous general ideas have been brought forward, there is a lack of clear empirical tests of these ideas. In this contribution such an empirical test is presented and discussed. First, the instructional design principles and their operationalisation in the ParlEuNet-project are presented. Next, the design and outcomes of an empirical study are discussed. It was hypothesised that students’ epistemological beliefs, metacognitive skills and instructional beliefs would evolve by working in a rich technological, problem-based collaborative learning environment. Secondly, it was hypothesised that by participating in the project, students’ beliefs and skills would develop in the direction of that learning environment. The first hypothesis was partly confirmed; however the second was not, students’ beliefs and skills changed in a direction opposite to the one expected. The contribution concludes with an attempt to explain these unexpected results.     

Development and validation of a self-report measure of bus driver behaviour

There are likely to be individual differences in bus driver behaviour when adhering to strict schedules under time pressure. A reliable and valid assessment of these individual differences would be useful for bus companies keen to mitigate risk of crash involvement. This paper reports on three studies to develop and validate a self-report measure of bus driver behaviour. For study 1, two principal components analyses of a pilot questionnaire revealed six components describing bus driver behaviour and four bus driver coping components. In study 2, test–retest reliability of the components were tested in a sub-sample and found to be adequate. Further, the 10 components were used to predict bus crash involvement at three levels of culpability with consistently significant associations found for two components. For study 3, avoidance coping was consistently associated with celeration variables in a bus simulator, especially for a time-pressured drive.

Statement of Relevance:The instrument can be used by bus companies for driver stress and fatigue management training to identify at-risk bus driver behaviour. Training to reduce the tendency to engage in avoidance coping strategies, improve evaluative coping strategies and hazard monitoring when under stress may improve bus driver safety.     

Development and validation of a self-report measure of bus driver behaviour

There are likely to be individual differences in bus driver behaviour when adhering to strict schedules under time pressure. A reliable and valid assessment of these individual differences would be useful for bus companies keen to mitigate risk of crash involvement. This paper reports on three studies to develop and validate a self-report measure of bus driver behaviour. For study 1, two principal components analyses of a pilot questionnaire revealed six components describing bus driver behaviour and four bus driver coping components. In study 2, test-retest reliability of the components were tested in a sub-sample and found to be adequate. Further, the 10 components were used to predict bus crash involvement at three levels of culpability with consistently significant associations found for two components. For study 3, avoidance coping was consistently associated with celeration variables in a bus simulator, especially for a time-pressured drive. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: The instrument can be used by bus companies for driver stress and fatigue management training to identify at-risk bus driver behaviour. Training to reduce the tendency to engage in avoidance coping strategies, improve evaluative coping strategies and hazard monitoring when under stress may improve bus driver safety.     

Development and validation of a crisis self‐efficacy index

This study develops a crisis self‐efficacy index to provide a tool for crisis communication researchers and practitioners to understand behavioural aspects of crisis response better. Evaluations of public's crisis self‐efficacy using this index inform strategic message development to protect the public and minimize crisis damages by identifying the public/s most in need of self‐efficacy enhancing interventions. The index also provides practitioners a useful longitudinal index to evaluate progress in crisis preparedness programs and track changes in efficacy. A four‐stage survey index development process using structural equation modelling identifies four underlying constructs of crisis self‐efficacy: action, preventive, achievement and uncertainty management.     

Development and validation of a computer expertise questionnaire for older adults

Prior computer expertise represents one of the most important predictors of performance when interacting with ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and acquiring computer skills. Due to demographic changes, the older adult will become increasingly important as a potential user. However, there is a lack of instruments for the assessment of computer expertise in older adults, especially for novice users with restricted prior computer knowledge. A computer expertise (CE) questionnaire for older adults was developed, analysed (Study I) and validated (Study II). Item-analysis showed that the CE-questionnaire is particularly appropriate for the computer knowledge level of older adults and measures computer expertise sufficiently. Furthermore, it was found that computer experience (in terms of frequency of computer usage) is a poor predictor of actual computer performance, which has important implications for the theoretical conceptualization of computer expertise and its assessment.     

Development and validation of a computer expertise questionnaire for older adults

Prior computer expertise represents one of the most important predictors of performance when interacting with ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and acquiring computer skills. Due to demographic changes, the older adult will become increasingly important as a potential user. However, there is a lack of instruments for the assessment of computer expertise in older adults, especially for novice users with restricted prior computer knowledge. A computer expertise (CE) questionnaire for older adults was developed, analysed (Study I) and validated (Study II). Item-analysis showed that the CE-questionnaire is particularly appropriate for the computer knowledge level of older adults and measures computer expertise sufficiently. Furthermore, it was found that computer experience (in terms of frequency of computer usage) is a poor predictor of actual computer performance, which has important implications for the theoretical conceptualization of computer expertise and its assessment.     

MAPO index for risk assessment of patient manual handling in hospital wards: a validation study

Manual handling of disabled patients - as regards movement - is one of the major factors affecting acute low back pain of exposed nursing staff. In the absence of quantitative methods assessing this kind of risk, the Research Unit Ergonomics of Posture and Movement of Milan developed in 1997 a risk assessment method called Movement and Assistance of Hospital Patients (MAPO), which is applicable in hospital wards.A first study conducted in 1999 allowed the identification of three levels of MAPO index corresponding with increasing probabilities of being affected by acute low back pain. In accordance with the well-known traffic light model, for MAPO index values between 0 and 1.5 the risk is considered to be absent or negligible. For values between 1.51 and 5.00 the risk is considered to be moderate. For values exceeding 5.00 the risk is considered to be high. In view of the limitations of the previous study, the results needed confirmation and so, in 2000-2001, another cross-sectional study was carried out, which included 191 hospital wards for acute and chronic patients and 2603 exposed subjects. This paper presents the analytical results of the association between the MAPO index and acute low back pain in this new data sample.The agreement between results of the two studies indicates that the MAPO index can be used as a risk index, although with some caution, as detailed in the paper. It can assess the risk exposure level of patient manual handling in wards and can be a useful tool for planning effective preventive actions to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in health-care workers looking after disabled patients.     

Development and validation of icons varying in their abstractness

Icons are used widely in human-computer interfaces. The level of abstractness-concreteness of an icon and its effect upon performance is of widespread interest. The authors have devised a quantitative measure for abstractness based on the complexity of the icon. They test their metric against subjective judgments of abstractness as identified by two different groups of subjects. After ranking two sets of ‘abstract’ and ‘concrete’ icons, the authors examined how well the icons were matched to the Pascal constructs that they represented. Further experiments were conducted using different groups of subjects to check whether correct matching of the icons with constructs was influenced by context. In summary the authors found that their metric was a good match for subjective measures of abstractness-concreteness. They also found that there is a better identification of concrete icons than abstract icons. Finally, it was shown that context does affect the correct identification of icons.     

MAPO index for risk assessment of patient manual handling in hospital wards: a validation study

Manual handling of disabled patients – as regards movement – is one of the major factors affecting acute low back pain of exposed nursing staff. In the absence of quantitative methods assessing this kind of risk, the Research Unit Ergonomics of Posture and Movement of Milan developed in 1997 a risk assessment method called Movement and Assistance of Hospital Patients (MAPO), which is applicable in hospital wards.

A first study conducted in 1999 allowed the identification of three levels of MAPO index corresponding with increasing probabilities of being affected by acute low back pain. In accordance with the well-known traffic light model, for MAPO index values between 0 and 1.5 the risk is considered to be absent or negligible. For values between 1.51 and 5.00 the risk is considered to be moderate. For values exceeding 5.00 the risk is considered to be high. In view of the limitations of the previous study, the results needed confirmation and so, in 2000–2001, another cross-sectional study was carried out, which included 191 hospital wards for acute and chronic patients and 2603 exposed subjects. This paper presents the analytical results of the association between the MAPO index and acute low back pain in this new data sample.

The agreement between results of the two studies indicates that the MAPO index can be used as a risk index, although with some caution, as detailed in the paper. It can assess the risk exposure level of patient manual handling in wards and can be a useful tool for planning effective preventive actions to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in health-care workers looking after disabled patients.     

Development and validation of a deep learning-based algorithm for drowsiness detection in facial photographs

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Drowsiness is a feeling of sleepiness before the sleep onset and has severe implications from a safety perspective for the individuals involved in industrial...