A smiling group, six men and one woman, standing in front of a banner printed with the Prisma and Clemson logos at the Center for Human Factors in Health Care launch
In a groundbreaking move to revolutionize healthcare, Prisma Health and Clemson University have joined forces to launch the Center for Human Factors in Health Care. This strategic partnership focuses on applying human factors engineering (HFE) principles to the medical field, specifically targeting the crucial interaction between healthcare professionals, patients, and the tools they use. Human factors engineering is the science of understanding how humans interact with systems, with the goal of designing and improving these interactions for optimal performance and safety.
The Core of Human Factors in Healthcare Tools
The Center for Human Factors in Health Care is dedicated to researching and improving the human element within complex healthcare systems. This encompasses a wide range of factors, from the clinicians themselves to their workflows, and critically, the healthcare tools and technologies they rely on daily. By focusing on these areas, the partnership aims to significantly enhance safety, boost efficiency, improve patient outcomes, and create a more positive experience for both patients and healthcare providers.
Robert H. Jones, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at Clemson University, emphasizes the institution’s commitment to this field: “Clemson University’s strategic plan aims to transform lives through ambitious health-related scholarship, benefiting South Carolina and beyond with measurable health and economic development. The Center for Human Factors in Health Care leads innovative research and collaboration among faculty dedicated to health research.” This highlights the strategic importance of this center in advancing healthcare innovation.
Optimizing Healthcare Operations Through Human Factors Research
Human factors tools are instrumental in analyzing healthcare operations to design systems that are inherently more user-friendly and aligned with human capabilities. This approach is crucial for minimizing errors in medical processes and maximizing the usability of healthcare tools, ranging from simple medical devices to sophisticated software systems. The research extends to the seamless integration of new technologies into existing healthcare workflows, ensuring safety and efficiency are maintained during periods of technological adoption.
Earlier this year, recognizing the immediate potential of this research, six teams comprising researchers and healthcare providers were awarded grants. These grants are fueling projects aimed at improving various aspects of hospital systems through a human factors lens. These projects tackle diverse challenges, from optimizing patient discharge processes to implementing effective patient mobility programs, all driven by human factors research methodologies.
A Collaborative Approach to Real-World Healthcare Challenges
Windsor Westbrook Sherrill, Ph.D., Clemson University’s associate vice president for health research, underscores the collaborative nature and growing importance of this field: “This area of health research is a growing collaboration between Prisma Health and Clemson, and this is a significant investment in faculty expertise for Clemson. Our innovative approach and ongoing cooperation again illustrate what’s possible when academic partners and health systems join forces to solve health care challenges.” This collaboration is key to bridging the gap between academic research and practical healthcare improvements.
Dr. Rob Morgan, medical director of the Prisma Health Upstate Simulation Center, highlights the value of simulation in this research: “There is work as envisioned versus work as it is performed. Health care simulation provides an ideal laboratory setting for the human factors team, including clinicians, engineers, and psychologists, who can test things as simple as medical devices or as complex as workflow processes to see if they perform the same way in a lab setting as they do in the clinical environment. After collecting and analyzing the data, our human factors team can work directly with our providers to make changes to improve the experience of our providers as well as outcomes for our patients.” This simulation-based approach allows for rigorous testing and refinement of healthcare tools and processes in a controlled environment before real-world implementation.
Transforming Patient and Provider Experiences
Dr. Jonathan Gleason, executive vice president and chief clinical officer at Prisma Health, articulates the ultimate goal: “Our focus is the experience of giving and receiving care and we are committed to pursuing new and innovative solutions that will serve our teams and patients well. We are proud to partner with Clemson University and we look forward to witnessing firsthand how human factors research can help transform the state of health in South Carolina.” This patient-centered and provider-supportive approach is at the heart of the partnership, aiming to create a more effective, safe, and positive healthcare environment for everyone involved.
About Prisma Health
Prisma Health is the largest healthcare organization in South Carolina, committed to providing innovative and comprehensive care through its extensive network of hospitals, practice sites, and clinicians. Serving nearly 1.5 million patients annually, Prisma Health is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves.
About Clemson University
Clemson University is a leading public research university renowned for its commitment to teaching, research, and service. With a focus on making a difference in the lives of others, Clemson drives economic development and enhances quality of life through innovative research and outreach initiatives across South Carolina and beyond.
