Designing the user interface for an infusion pump

A new user interface for an infusion pump has been developed and evaluated. The method used was to find information about incidents and accidents with infusion pumps and connect this with theory about mental loads and human error, also considering the work environment of the users. Three typical incidents relating to the user interface were compiled and classified as slips or mistakes. A list of requirements for the user interface of an infusion pump was produced. A new user interface was then designed. This was evaluated in a usability test together with an interface of an infusion pump already in use. The subjects were both beginners and expert users. The new user interface was favourably received and judged to be better in the areas of clarity, ease of use and ease of learning.