Application of Cognitive Systems Engineering in anaesthesia: developing a decision support tool for airway management

This research was undertaken to develop ways to support the decision-making of anaesthesia teams during challenging, time-pressured situations. The research focused on decisions relating to airway management: the critical support of a patient’s breathing functions while the patient is anaesthetised. A human-centred design approach was followed using qualitative research methods of field observations, interviews and focus groups. Initially, key decisions and how they were made in practice were identified. After understanding how and when decisions are made, decision support concepts were identified. The main intervention selected was an organised airway equipment tray for design and development.