Human Factors in Smart Infusion Pump Use: A Review of Usability, Cognitive Workload, and Medication Safety Outcomes in Nursing Practice

Abstract

Medication administration is one of the most critical responsibilities of nurses and remains a significant contributor to patient safety outcomes. Intravenous (IV) medication delivery is particularly vulnerable to errors because of the complexity of dosage calculations, programming requirements, drug interactions, and patient-specific considerations. Smart infusion pumps have emerged as an important technological solution designed to reduce medication administration errors through features such as dose error reduction systems (DERS), drug libraries, programmable alerts, and automated safeguards. Despite their widespread adoption, medication errors associated with infusion pump use continue to occur, often due to human factors that influence device interaction and clinical decision-making. Human factors encompass the physical, cognitive, organizational, and environmental elements that affect how healthcare professionals interact with technology. In nursing practice, usability challenges, cognitive workload, alarm fatigue, workflow interruptions, inadequate training, and system design limitations can significantly impact smart infusion pump effectiveness. This review examines the role of human factors in smart infusion pump utilization, focusing on usability, cognitive workload, and medication safety outcomes among nurses. The paper explores the evolution of smart infusion technologies, identifies key human factors influencing performance, discusses evidence regarding medication safety improvements, and highlights barriers to optimal implementation. Understanding the interaction between nurses and infusion technologies is essential for maximizing patient safety and improving healthcare outcomes. Future advancements in human-centered design, artificial intelligence integration, interoperability, and user-focused training programs may further enhance smart infusion pump effectiveness while reducing medication-related risks.