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

Robert L. Wears; Richard I. Cook; Shawna J. Perry

doi:10.1016/j.ress.2006.01.009

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 journal › Article › peer-review

39 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 language	English
Pages (from-to)	1494-1501
Number of pages	8
Journal	Reliability Engineering and System Safety
Volume	91
Issue number	12
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ress.2006.01.009
Publication status	Published - Dec 2006
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Accidents
Emergent properties
Health care
Interactive complexity

Access to Document

10.1016/j.ress.2006.01.009

Cite this

@article{ec3c75fc441445df82d6e39909ae69ad,

title = "Automation, interaction, complexity, and failure: A case study",

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.",

keywords = "Accidents, Emergent properties, Health care, Interactive complexity",

author = "Wears, {Robert L.} and Cook, {Richard I.} and Perry, {Shawna J.}",

year = "2006",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1016/j.ress.2006.01.009",

language = "English",

volume = "91",

pages = "1494--1501",

journal = "Reliability Engineering and System Safety",

issn = "0951-8320",

publisher = "Elsevier",

number = "12",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Automation, interaction, complexity, and failure

T2 - A case study

AU - Wears, Robert L.

AU - Cook, Richard I.

AU - Perry, Shawna J.

PY - 2006/12

Y1 - 2006/12

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Accidents

KW - Emergent properties

KW - Health care

KW - Interactive complexity

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33746722625&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.ress.2006.01.009

DO - 10.1016/j.ress.2006.01.009

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:33746722625

SN - 0951-8320

VL - 91

SP - 1494

EP - 1501

JO - Reliability Engineering and System Safety

JF - Reliability Engineering and System Safety

IS - 12

ER -

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

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this