About the project
CHI+MED was a flagship project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The project ran for 6 years from late 2009 with initial funding of £5.7 million (EP/G059063/1).
The aim of the CHI+MED project was to transform the way in which interactive (programmable) medical devices are designed, bought and used, in ways that both prevent and reduce the consequences of medical errors. Our goal was to make the use of medical equipment safer, whether in hospitals or at home, and in so doing, to help nurses, doctors, managers and device manufacturers save lives.
Some incidents involve errors with interactive medical devices such as infusion pumps that give drugs for treatment and pain relief, glucometers that measure blood sugar levels for people with diabetes, and vital signs monitors. In one study of medications through an intravenous (IV) pump, two thirds of the medications included at least one error.
These devices are intended to be used by people without extensive training. We are relying on them more and more, both in hospitals and by patients or their carers at home. It is vital that they are both reliable and easy to use.
If nurses, doctors or patients themselves misread the devices or make mistakes when setting up doses then this can, and unfortunately does, result in incorrect treatment, and can even kill.
We are focusing on the science and engineering of interactive devices to understand and solve these problems.
You can find more in depth information about the different strands of research in the CHI+MED project in the research section.
About the team
CHI+MED brought together an internationally leading team of researchers from four universities and two hospitals working with a wide range of stakeholders.
The project involved researchers and associated researchers at four universities, as well as seven collaborating partners. It also had a Steering Committee and an Advisory Group.
Collaborating universities
University College London Interaction Centre (UCLIC) – a leading centre on interaction design. They brought expertise in the understanding of cognition. They also are a world leading team in research on understanding complex situations within which computer-based devices are employed.
City University brought expertise in the design and evaluation of mobile devices.
Swansea University Future Interaction Technology Laboratory brought expertise in emerging technologies, device design and the design of tools to help manufacturers.
Queen Mary, University of London brought expertise in mathematical analysis of complex systems that include humans. They also are internationally respected in public engagement in science and in innovative approaches to teaching.
The Royal Free and Singleton Hospitals brought practical expertise in all aspects of medical practice, from clinicians to procurement specialists.
Our core team and advisory panel consisted of members from many backgrounds including:
- The National Safety Patient Agency
- The Medical Device Industry
- Medical Trainers
- Clinicians
- Procurement Staff
- Patients
- Design Specialists
- Computer Scientists
- Psychologists
- Social Scientists
- Medical Researchers.
Management team
Prof Ann Blandford – UCLIC, UCL Interaction Centre – UCL
Prof Anna Cox – UCLIC, UCL Interaction Centre – UCL
Prof Paul Curzon – School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science – Queen Mary, University of London
Prof Harold Thimbleby – FIT Lab, Future Interaction Technology Laboratory – Swansea University
Investigator team
Prof Duncan Brumby – UCLIC, UCL Interaction Centre – UCL
Dr George Buchanan – Centre for HCI Design – City University
Dr Parisa Eslambolchilar – FIT Lab, Future Interaction Technology Laboratory – Swansea University
David Ford – CHIRAL, the Centre for Health Information, Research and evALuation – Swansea University
Prof Matt Jones – FIT Lab, Future Interaction Technology Laboratory – Swansea University
Prof Peter McOwan – School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science – Queen Mary, University of London
Dr Astrid Mayer – UCL Medical School – UCL
Prof John Williams – School of Medicine – Swansea University
Researchers and PhD students
Chitra Acharya – FIT Lab, Future Interaction Technology Laboratory – Swansea University
Jonathan Day – Centre for HCI Design – City University
Dr Dominic Furniss – UCLIC, UCL Interaction Centre – UCL
Sandy Gould – UCLIC, UCL Interaction Centre – UCL
Prof Michael Harrison – School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science – Queen Mary, University of London
Huayi Huang – School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science – Queen Mary, University of London
Dr Jo Iacovides – UCLIC, UCL Interaction Centre – UCL
Dr Karen Li – FIT Lab, Future Interaction Technology Laboratory – Swansea University
Alexis Lewis – FIT Lab, Future Interaction Technology Laboratory – Swansea University
Dr Paolo Masci – School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science – Queen Mary, University of London
Dr Chrystie Myketiak – School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science – Queen Mary, University of London
Aisling O’Kane – UCLIC, UCL Interaction Centre – UCL
Dr Gerrit Niezen – FIT Lab, Future Interaction Technology Laboratory – Swansea University
Patrick Oladimeji – FIT Lab, Future Interaction Technology Laboratory – Swansea University
Dr Rimvydas Ruksenas – School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science – Queen Mary, University of London
Huawei Tu – FIT Lab, Future Interaction Technology Laboratory – Swansea University
Dr Chris Vincent – UCLIC, UCL Interaction Centre – UCL
Dr Jonathan Back – UCLIC, UCL Interaction Centre – UCL
Erik Berndt – UCLIC, UCL Interaction Centre – UCL
Abigail Cauchi – FIT Lab, Future Interaction Technology Laboratory – Swansea University
Dr José Campos – School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science – Queen Mary, University of London
Enrico D’Urso – School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science – Queen Mary, University of London
Andy Gimblett – FIT Lab, Future Interaction Technology Laboratory – Swansea University
Dr Sinan Halilbeyoglu – School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science – Queen Mary, University of London
Tom Owen – FIT Lab, Future Interaction Technology Laboratory – Swansea University
Dr Carlos Monroy Aceves – FIT Lab, Future Interaction Technology Laboratory – Swansea University
Atish Rajkomar – UCLIC, UCL Interaction Centre – UCL
Associated researchers and PhD students
Paul Noble – UCLIC, UCL Interaction Centre – UCL
Abigail Parisaca-Vargas – Centre for Software Reliability – City University
Katarzyna Stawarz – UCLIC, UCL Interaction Centre – UCL
Julie Webster – FIT Lab, Future Interaction Technology Laboratory – Swansea University
Dr Graham White – School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science – Queen Mary, University of London
Sarah Wiseman – UCLIC, UCL Interaction Centre – UCL
Adminstrators
Dr Richard Young – CHI+MED Manager – UCLIC, UCL Interaction Centre – UCL
Jo Brodie – Public Engagement Co-ordinator – School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science – Queen Mary, University of London
Victoria Hurst PA to Prof Harold Thimbleby – FIT Lab, Future Interaction Technology Laboratory – Swansea University
Laboratories and universities
Centre for HCI Design – City University
CHIRAL, the Centre for Health Information, Research and evALuation – Swansea University
FIT Lab, Future Interaction Technology Laboratory – Swansea University
School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science – Queen Mary, University of London
UCL Medical School – UCL
UCLIC, UCL Interaction Centre – UCL
Collaborators
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust
Association of British Healthcare Industries, London
FDA Infusion Pump Software Safety Research, US
Health Systems Institute, Atlanta
National Patient Safety Agency, London
Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, London
UPenn, Generic Infusion Pump, US
Technology Development Group, Fife
Zuhlke Technology Group, London
Advisory group
Prof Gregory D Abowd (Chair) – Georgia Institute of Technology, USA
Prof John Clarkson – Engineering Design Centre, University of Cambridge
Dr David Gerrett – National Patient Safety Agency
Dr Laura Meagher – Technology Development Group
Lisa Coles – EPSRC representative