Human Factors Engineering in Medical Device Software Design: Enhancing Usability and Patient Safety

Abstract

This abstract provides an overview of the importance of HFE in medical device software design, highlighting its impact on usability, patient outcomes, and regulatory compliance. Effective HFE involves understanding the needs, abilities, and limitations of end-users, including healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers, and designing software interfaces and workflows that align with their cognitive and physical characteristics. By integrating human factors principles into the design process, medical device manufacturers can minimize user errors, reduce cognitive workload, and enhance user satisfaction, leading to improved efficiency and effectiveness in healthcare delivery. Furthermore, HFE plays a critical role in enhancing patient safety by identifying and mitigating usability issues, such as unclear instructions, complex workflows, and inadequate feedback mechanisms, that may contribute to medical errors and adverse events. By conducting usability testing and iterative design evaluations, manufacturers can identify usability problems early in the development process and implement design improvements to prevent potential patient harm.