~~ The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Presents

Mr. Denny Yu

PhD candidate in Human Factors and Ergonomics Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan

Topic: Improving patient and surgeon safety: Application of human factors and ergonomics in the operating room

Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Time: 11:45am to 12:45pm (Refreshments from 11:15am to 11:45am)

Location: 442 Curry Student Center

Abstract: Surgical technology and techniques are rapidly advancing; however, these advances can increase the complexity of the procedures and affect both patient and surgeon safety. This presentation highlights the application of human factors and ergonomics research on two specific challenges: 1) how variations in surgical techniques among and within surgeons can affect patient outcomes and 2) how physical demands in surgery can affect surgeon’s risk for musculoskeletal fatigue and injuries. Video data from 64 microsurgery cases were used to develop a descriptive taxonomy so that differences in techniques among cases can be compared with variations in surgical outcomes. Surgeon interactions with the work environment were quantified to determine the work requirements, workflow disruptions, and physical stresses in microsurgery. Using the results from these studies, alternative video display systems for microsurgery were designed to reduce joint stresses, lower perceived efforts, and improve task performance.

Bio: Denny Yu is a PhD candidate in Human Factors and Ergonomics in the Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering at the University of Michigan. Denny completed his undergraduate in Bioengineering from the University of California, Berkeley with a specialization in manufacturing ergonomics. Denny’s research links the areas of human factors, occupational biomechanics, and ergonomics with applications in improving the safety of surgical procedures for both patients and medical professionals. His research expertise includes: 1) modeling how people interact with the work environment to improve safety, reliability, and well-being, 2) developing biomechanical models that link workplace factors to worker injuries and fatigue, and 3) designing work equipment and environments that improve performance and prevent harm in healthcare.