Evaluating Systems with Multiple Processes Using STPA: A Case Study in a Medical Intensive Care Unit

This paper evaluates the use of STPA in a heatlhcare setting specifically a complex setting involving controllers participating in multiple processes at one time. This is a scenario that has not been explored with STPA before but is the status quo in most healthcare systems. In an intensive care unit, the process of providing care to patients is comprised of many processes including drug delivery, lab draws, radiological imaging, bedside procedures, physical therapy, and far more. The interactions of these procedures support patient care but also increase risk in healthcare delivery in ways that need to be considered.