A new interdisciplinary partnership between Prisma Health and Clemson University is bringing human factors engineering to the forefront of health care innovation – and Industrial Engineering faculty and alumni are playing a leading role.
Launched in November 2024, the Center for Human Factors in Health Care aims to improve patient safety, enhance team performance, and design better clinical systems by applying principles of human factors and ergonomics in real-world medical environments.
The center is directed by Dr. Cullen Jackson, a Clemson IE faculty member whose research spans human-centered design, decision-making in complex systems, and applied cognitive engineering. Supporting the center’s operations is Dr. Steven Foster, a Clemson IE Ph.D. – reinforcing Clemson IE’s deep ties to applied research and impact-driven health care partnerships.
Current Initiatives: Engineering in Action
Redesigning Nurse Workstations in Emergency Departments
In response to rising patient volumes and workflow challenges in emergency department waiting rooms, Clemson IE researchers are working with Prisma Health to redesign the RN patient arrival desk. The study investigates how deviations from standard check-in procedures – often due to poor workstations layout – can impact safety, efficiency, and staff satisfaction.
The goal: Reduce patient check-in errors, improve workflow efficiency, and enhance RN satisfaction using human factors principles to inform a new workstation design.
Evaluating Telehealth for Breast Cancer Prevention Consultations
The team is also collaborating with Prisma’s Breast Cancer Prevention Clinic to evaluate how well telehealth consultations serve patients undergoing risk-based cancer screening and planning. The study compares telehealth and in-person visits to assess differences in patient experience, retention of information, and staff satisfaction, with the goal of improving access and communication for patients navigating sensitive, complex health decisions.
See the Center in Action
Watch the introductory video to learn more about the center’s mission and the team’s approach to improving healthcare through engineering insight:
The center from Human Factors in Health Care represents a collaborative effort between Prisma Health and Clemson University, with leadership from the Department of Industrial Engineering, which brings deep expertise in applying human factors principles in real-world healthcare environments.
Read the full press releases here:
https://academics.prismahealth.org/research-and-innovation/institutes-and-centers/human-factors
