Kathleen Harder, PhD

Using Human Factors Systems Design to Deliver Safe Patient Care

Human factors systems designers employ expertise in cognitive science to design work processes that facilitate better human performance and technology to enhance work processes. The work extends beyond problem description — problems are solved by generating innovative design solutions that facilitate improved human performance. This talk will convey a brief overview of human factors systems design methodology and provide examples of the ways in which it has been instrumental in reducing errors in healthcare delivery.

Bio and Resources

Dr. Kathleen Harder is director of the Center for Design in Health at the University of Minnesota. As part of her research program, Harder offers expertise regarding the strengths and weaknesses of human information processing to design systems that facilitate better human performance. In addition to serving as the human factors content expert with the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement for its perioperative protocol, Harder has conducted an extensive analysis of surgical procedures in perioperative services in order to design a more effective process for ensuring patients receive the correct procedure. The resulting Safe Surgery Process was designed to foster the active cognitive engagement of all team members at relevant points, and was approved by The Joint Commission in the State of Minnesota. The Safe Surgery Process has been implemented in a number of hospitals in Minnesota and is undergoing implementation in other hospitals nationwide. Harder has a PhD. in cognitive psychology from Dartmouth College.