ITR-(EVS+ASE+NHS)-(int+dmc+soc)-Improving the Safety and Efficiency of Medical Processes

University Of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst MA

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract 0427071 Title: Improving the Safety and Efficiency of Medical Processes PI: Lori A. Clarke Collaborative: 0426942 Henneman, Philip Recent insights into the extent of medical error, coupled with dramatic increases in healthcare costs and a worsening nursing shortage, provide evidence of the need to develop new healthcare processes. Working with experts on medical safety and building upon past accomplishments in process languages and software verification, this project will develop visual process representations for critical paths of care that capture the morass of exceptional situations and the inherent multi-tasking undertaken by extremely busy medical professionals. Appropriate representations will be developed to guide medical professionals as well as provide the basis for analysis and evaluation leading to safety and efficiency improvements. This approach will be evaluated using a number of medical processes. The evaluation will first involve static analysis approaches that will look for potential problems and inefficiencies. The resulting improved processes will then be used to drive a simulation environment involving actual medical personnel in role-playing situations. The results of this research should help reduce healthcare costs, improve medical outcomes, and support the training of medical personnel. Moreover, the process definitions and analysis capabilities that arise from the proposed work should be applicable for reducing errors and improving efficiency in a wide variety of human-computer application areas.