Automation, interaction, complexity, and failure: A case study

Robert L. Wears*, Richard I. Cook, Shawna J. Perry

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Although proponents of advanced information technology argue that automation can improve the reliability of health care delivery, the results of introducing new technology into complex systems are mixed. The complexity of the health care workplace creates vulnerabilities and problems for system designers. In particular, some forms of failure emerge from the interactions of independently designed and implemented components. We present a case study of such an emergent, unforeseen failure and use it to illustrate some of the problems facing designers of applications in health care.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1494-1501
Number of pages8
JournalReliability Engineering and System Safety
Volume91
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Accidents
  • Emergent properties
  • Health care
  • Interactive complexity

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