Human factors perspective on the safety environment of nurse anaesthetist training in Haiti

This study focuses on the safety of use of medical devices during a training program of nurse anaesthetists in Haiti. Our aim is to describe five observable near misses from the perspective of Human Factors and Ergonomics. The results reveal specific challenges related to the vulnerable learning environment of the nurse anaesthetists. In the discussion the authors elaborate on four ways in which systemic interdependencies of technology potentially contribute to safety threats: delay of procedure, attention diversion, introducing errors and worsening work conditions. Finally, this discussion proposes a System Design approach for innovation of appropriate medical devices.