Development of an Emergency C-Section Facilitator Using a Human-Machine Systems Engineering Approach

This paper describes the human-machine systems engineering process used to develop a prototype mobile communication and information system to facilitate preparation for emergency Caesarean sections in a rural hospital. The development team of engineering students, faculty, physicians, and nurses conducted a hierarchical process analysis to survey the problem scope and to develop functional requirements. A prototype, implemented systematically to meet those requirements, consists of a computer server, tablet PCs, and PDAs connected by a wireless network, which can be easily extended to a cellular network. The system summons the medical team via mobile devices and facilitates preparation of the patient, team, and operating room, and communication of their status. Evaluation of the system at the hospital yielded favorable responses and recommendations for enhancements.