The scope for adaptive capacity in Emergency Departments: Modelling performance constraints using Control Task Analysis and Social Organisational Cooperation Analysis

Elizabeth E Austin; Brette Blakely; Paul Salmon; Jeffrey Braithwaite; Robyn Clay-Williams

doi:10.1080/00140139.2021.1992004

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The scope for adaptive capacity in Emergency Departments: Modelling performance constraints using Control Task Analysis and Social Organisational Cooperation Analysis

Journal article

Peer reviewed

The scope for adaptive capacity in Emergency Departments: Modelling performance constraints using Control Task Analysis and Social Organisational Cooperation Analysis

Elizabeth E Austin, Brette Blakely, Paul Salmon, Jeffrey Braithwaite and Robyn Clay-Williams

Ergonomics, Vol.65(3), pp.467-484

2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2021.1992004

PMID: 34649471

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Abstract

Allocation of functions

healthcare

Emergency Department

CWA

system design sociotechnical systems

Patient flow between the emergency department (ED) and hospital wards becomes problematic when bed availability is limited. To better understand the constraints that shape patient flow and everyday work in the ED, we applied Control Task Analysis (i.e. Contextual Activities Template, CAT) and Social Organisational Cooperation Analysis (SOCA) phases from the Cognitive Work Analysis framework to identify ways in which to optimise patient flow. The model and analysis were created through observations in the ED of clinicians (e.g. nurses, doctors), and professional staff (e.g. ward personnel, clerks). The CAT and SOCA-CAT models illustrate workspaces, patient journey phases, and patient volume within the department that are heavily loaded with tasks and human and non-human agents performing these tasks, while others are underutilised. The findings suggest that an ED's adaptive capacity could be strengthened through the integration of additional human and non-human agents allowing the redistribution of clinical and non-clinical tasks.

Details

Title: The scope for adaptive capacity in Emergency Departments: Modelling performance constraints using Control Task Analysis and Social Organisational Cooperation Analysis
Authors: Elizabeth E Austin (Author) - Macquarie University
Brette Blakely (Author) - Macquarie University
Paul Salmon (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science
Jeffrey Braithwaite (Author) - Macquarie University
Robyn Clay-Williams (Author) - Macquarie University
Publication details: Ergonomics, Vol.65(3), pp.467-484
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Date published: 2022
DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2021.1992004
ISSN: 1366-5847
PMID: 34649471
Organisation Unit: Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99579708902621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Engineering, Industrial; Ergonomics; Psychology; Psychology, Applied