ABSTRACT
This situation is provoked by inadequate usability of the equipment and appliances. Very many pieces of equipment are not constructed for intuitive use and their handling is difficult to learn [6, 21]. Operator errors are inevitable. A large proportion of the clinical errors that occur is associated with the use of equipment and approximately 60% of these errors can be ascribed to usability problems [16, 21]. In a survey with 425 surgeons and I90 OR nurses 70'% of the surgeons and 50% of the nurses reported difficulties operating medical devices (Tab. 1 ). Thus more than 40% were involved in situations of potential danger for staff or the patients [21]. Thus, ergonomic considerations and the observance of usability requirements are absolutely essential for optimizing the clinical working environment.
