Estimated probability of contact of pouch contents presented to the simulated sterile field from small, medium and large pouches.

<p>Whiskers indicate 95% confidence intervals. (a,b) Letters indicate evidence for a significant difference between pouch sizes (P<0.05) (e.g. the small significantly differs from the large but not the medium).</p

Typical opening approach of a medical device contained in a Chevron Pouch (Adapted from Bix and de la Fuente.

<p>Typical opening approach of a medical device contained in a Chevron Pouch (Adapted from Bix and de la Fuente.</p

Evidence of Glitterbug presence on tongue depressor as indicator of contact of package contents with the provider's gloves or outside of the package.

<p>This photo was taken with a SONY HDR-CX430V video camera using an F-Stop of f/2.4, and an exposure time of 1/30 of a second without flash. The Glitterbug (light blue on the tongue depressor) is illuminated by a black light in ambient lighting.</p

Estimated percentage of correctly recognized PWLs contingent on fixation.

<p>Estimated percentage of correctly recognized PWLs contingent on fixation.</p

Least Square Mean Estimates (across subjects) of percentage of the probability of fixation by zone and age group.

<p>Error bars represent the between subjects standard error.</p

Least Square Mean Estimates of the number of gaze shifts into a label zone by age and estimated standard errors (whiskers).

<p>Least Square Mean Estimates of the number of gaze shifts into a label zone by age and estimated standard errors (whiskers).</p

Serial steps of a commonly recognized information processing model.

<p>Serial steps of a commonly recognized information processing model.</p

Experimental set up (chin rest, calibrated plane and the head-mounted optics of our ASL 501 eye tracking unit).

<p>Experimental set up (chin rest, calibrated plane and the head-mounted optics of our ASL 501 eye tracking unit).</p

Evaluating Varied Label Designs for Use with Medical Devices: Optimized Labels Outperform Existing Labels in the Correct Selection of Devices and Time to Select

<div><p>Purpose</p><p>Effective standardization of medical device labels requires objective study of varied designs. Insufficient empirical evidence exists regarding how practitioners utilize and view labeling.</p><p>Objective</p><p>Measure the effect of graphic elements (boxing information, grouping information, symbol use and color-coding) to optimize a label for comparison with those typical of commercial medical devices.</p><p>Design</p><p>Participants viewed 54 trials on a computer screen. Trials were comprised of two labels that were identical with regard to graphics, but differed in one aspect of information (e.g., one had latex, the other did not). Participants were instructed to select the label along a given criteria (e.g., latex containing) as quickly as possible. Dependent variables were binary (correct selection) and continuous (time to correct selection).</p><p>Participants</p><p>Eighty-nine healthcare professionals were recruited at Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) conferences, and using a targeted e-mail of AST members.</p><p>Results</p><p>Symbol presence, color coding and grouping critical pieces of information all significantly improved selection rates and sped time to correct selection (α = 0.05). Conversely, when critical information was graphically boxed, probability of correct selection and time to selection were impaired (α = 0.05). Subsequently, responses from trials containing optimal treatments (color coded, critical information grouped with symbols) were compared to two labels created based on a review of those commercially available. Optimal labels yielded a significant positive benefit regarding the probability of correct choice ((P<0.0001) LSM; UCL, LCL: 97.3%; 98.4%, 95.5%)), as compared to the two labels we created based on commercial designs (92.0%; 94.7%, 87.9% and 89.8%; 93.0%, 85.3%) and time to selection.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Our study provides data regarding design factors, namely: color coding, symbol use and grouping of critical information that can be used to significantly enhance the performance of medical device labels.</p></div

Actual vial used in this study depicting the three label zones of interest 1a

<p>- (1) cap, (2) standard white pharmacy label and (3) prescription warning label (PWL). (Inset: Five color contrasts of PWLs used in this study) 1b- Flattened, scaled drawing.</p