Evaluation of Human Errors among Nurses Using Predictive Analysis of Cognitive Errors and Human Event Analysis Techniques: Case study of the Specific Responsibilities of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Introduction: Considering the accreditation of international standards of hospitals and the necessity to improve the safety and quality of patients’ care, this study aimed at evaluating reliability among nurses using predictive analysis of cognitive errors and human event analysis techniques. Material and Methods: The analysis of nurses̓ tasks was done by HTA method. Then, the types of errors and their causes were identified by TRACER method. In the next step, the error probability of each task was calculated by ATHEANA method. In order to calculate the probability of total event, the probability of human error was imported to probabilistic risk assessment. Results: Factors affecting performance of the nurses were included: the complexity of the work, high workload, nurse’s experience, work environment design, fatigue, anxiety, shortage of the workforce, insufficient time period for doing job, sleep disturbance, and poor lighting and noise pollution. According to the instruction of ATHEANA method, the error probability for each base event was considered 0.001. Given that there are 15 base events, the probability of human error in the heart attack event was calculated 0.015. Conclusion: The finding of this study was indicated the need for providing required nursing workforce, reducing overtime, scientific planning for nurses’ work shifts and giving practical training and stress management methods in the emergency conditions.

Keywords

• reliability
• cognitive errors
• human event analysis
• nurses