Work system design – SEIPS PETT scan
Work system factors were analysed using a SEIPS PETT scan for all three tasks. Results for participant inoculation are shown in Table 2 and for general work activities in Table 3 (for in room assessment and participant transfer to CT see Supporting Information File 1). The PETT scans revealed barriers and facilitators to safe practice in each category, including the issues around enforced rule breaking and standardisation identified above.
Analysis of protocolised tasks identified that the infrastructure for research teams working within the OxCRF is not yet optimised. For example, no specified quiet area for rest was available. Staff working overnight have found workarounds (e.g. by using a separate clinical space) but the importance of adequate rest is well recognised . Potential alterations to staff areas to improve privacy and adaptations to audio-visual systems to enhance the ability to observe and communicate with participants when necessary (without significantly impacting their privacy) were flagged.
Over the course of the study several additional matters arose which, whilst not formally observed, may have represented potential safety risks. This is exemplified by the unexpected occurence of groundworks outside the main CRF entrance, which would have impeded access in a clinical emergency (see Supporting Information File 2).
Overall, risks were evident in all SEIPS work system categories and their identification informed recommendations to improve safety.