Work With Us | National Center for Human Factors in Healthcare | MedStar Health

National Center for Human Factors in Healthcare. Healthcare Solutions Grounded in Human Factors Science.

Our team combines deep expertise, multidisciplinary collaboration, and a human-centered mindset to create solutions that work — in real systems, with real people.

Partner with us to uncover insights, reimagine processes, design better experiences, and drive measurable impact.

Why choose us?

A Comprehensive Approach to Research & Evaluation

Human-Centered. Evidence-Driven. Impact-Focused.

Using a human factors engineering lens, we design, execute, and evaluate research that prioritizes safety, quality, efficiency, and usability. From early planning to actionable outcomes, we deliver insights that help healthcare systems work better—for patients, clinicians, and stakeholders alike.

Whether building studies from the ground up or refining existing efforts, we apply deep methodological rigor and systems thinking—driven by a commitment to advancing scientific impact and shaping the future of healthcare innovation.

How We Support You

We take a full-lifecycle approach to research and evaluation, tailored to the complexities of healthcare:

  • Collaborative Study Design: From concept to IRB submission, we help shape proposals that are scientifically sound and operationally feasible.
  • Qualitative Research: We conduct in-depth interviews and focus groups to surface insights grounded in real-world experience.
  • Custom Measurement Tools: We design and deploy validated surveys and instruments aligned to behavioral and cognitive outcomes.
  • Workflow & Task Analysis: We map care processes using human factors methods like task analysis, time-motion studies, and direct observation.
  • Evidence Synthesis: We conduct systematic reviews to summarize current evidence, inform best practices, and highlight research gaps.

A Strategic Approach to Systems & Process Innovation

Integrated. Practical. Purpose-Driven.

We help healthcare organizations rethink and redesign complex systems—aligning people, technology, and workflows to improve performance, safety, and experience. Through a multidisciplinary lens, we identify opportunities for meaningful change and deliver solutions that work in real-world clinical environments.

How We Support You

We apply systems thinking and human factors principles to drive operational transformation:

  • Sociotechnical System Design: We align health IT tools with frontline workflows to support safe, efficient, and coordinated care.
  • Process Reengineering: We streamline care pathways and administrative processes to reduce burden and improve quality.
  • Multidisciplinary Collaboration: We bring together clinicians, IT professionals, and human factors experts to solve challenges from multiple angles.
  • Change Management Support: We translate insights into sustainable improvements, ensuring stakeholder alignment and adoption.

A Human-Centered Approach to Design & User Experience

Intuitive. Inclusive. Purpose-Built.

We design experiences that work—especially in the high-stakes, high-complexity world of healthcare. From digital tools to clinical environments, we apply human-centered design and usability research to ensure solutions are effective, accessible, and aligned with the needs of patients, clinicians, and staff.

How We Support You

We bring empathy, evidence, and creativity to every design challenge:

  • Usability Evaluation: We assess and improve products and systems through user research, task testing, and heuristic reviews.
  • UX/UI Design: We create wireframes, prototypes, and interfaces that are intuitive, accessible, and optimized for clinical workflows.
  • Co-Design Workshops: We lead sessions using methods like card sorting and affinity diagramming to align stakeholders and uncover insights.
  • Training & Education: We develop materials that translate complex concepts into practical, user-friendly knowledge for end users.

A Full-Spectrum Safety Engineering Approach

Proactive. Precise. Patient-Centered.

We help healthcare systems strengthen safety, reduce risk, and improve reliability by applying human factors science to identify vulnerabilities before harm occurs. From design through implementation, we embed safety into every layer of clinical systems and environments.

How We Support You

We take a structured approach to identifying and mitigating risk:

  • Risk & Hazard Analysis: We conduct Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and occurrence report analysis to uncover systemic risks.
  • Safety-Centered Design: We ensure systems and environments support safe behaviors and reduce the likelihood of error.
  • Physical Ergonomics: We evaluate posture, reach, and force demands to optimize workspaces for comfort and injury prevention.
  • Proactive Monitoring: We use tools like workload assessment and biometric data to identify stress points before they impact safety.
  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA): To identify contributing factors to safety events.

Contact us

For more information about our work or to explore possible collaboration opportunities, please fill out the form below and someone from our team will be in touch within a few business days.