IDIVAL’s Innovation Area includes a specialized team in Human Factors Engineering, dedicated to the study and evaluation of the usability of healthcare technologies.
Through user-centered scientific methodologies, we analyze how professionals and patients interact with technological systems, identifying opportunities for improvement that enhance their safety, effectiveness, and adaptation to real clinical environments.
At IDIVAL, we apply Human Factors Engineering to evaluate healthcare technologies at all stages of their development and adoption. Our work ranges from applied research to technical consulting for institutions and companies in the health sector.
Main service lines:
The Human Factors Engineering team at IDIVAL actively participates in research and innovation projects applied to the healthcare field.
Usability evaluations in public procurement
FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT PA SCS 2025/92 – Framework Agreement for the Supply of Incontinence Absorbents. Assessment of the usability and functional suitability of incontinence absorbent products, developed in the context of a public tender process by the Cantabrian Health Service, aimed at ensuring the safety, comfort and ease of use of the materials supplied.
FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT SCS2025/60 – Supply of fluid therapy. Assessment of the usability of fluid therapy systems and products, carried out within the framework of a public tender process by the Cantabrian Health Service, with the aim of ensuring their safety, manageability and correct integration into the clinical environment.
GAP 2025/05 – As part of procurement procedure GAP 2025/05, a usability evaluation was conducted on needles for injection pens intended for the subcutaneous administration of medication. The evaluation was conducted using a Human Factors Engineering approach, which combined an initial expert review phase with a usability test involving real users. The test was conducted with individuals experienced in the use of injection pens, replicating the complete product usage process (preparation, assembly, injection, and removal).
FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT SCS2023/74 – Supply of consumables for the comprehensive treatment of diabetes mellitus. Assessment of the usability of glucose monitoring and insulin infusion systems, carried out within the framework of a public tender process by the Cantabrian Health Service.
FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT SCS2023/5 – Selection of infusion system suppliers. Evaluation of the usability of volumetric and syringe infusion systems, carried out within the framework of a public tender process by the Cantabrian Health Service.
SCS2017/50 TENDER – Supply of material for infusion equipment. Assessment of the usability of hospital infusion systems using Human Factors Engineering methodologies, in support of the public procurement process of the Cantabrian Health Service.
Competitive projects
INNVAL24/03 project focused on the optimisation, manufacture and usability validation of a traction system for the abdominal wall in open abdomen situations. The Human Factors Engineering team is participating by designing and conducting a usability test to ensure that the system meets the real needs of the clinical environment.
Project framed within the European Commission's EU4H-2022-JA-09 action, aimed at establishing the technical and operational foundations of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) by defining and validating the format for the electronic exchange of medical records. IDIVAL's Human Factors Engineering team is participating by contributing methodological criteria and expertise in usability, contributing to the development of guidelines, use cases and integration strategies that ensure that the resulting solutions are secure, interoperable and people-centred.
Continuation of the Join2Procure project, aimed at strengthening collaboration between public entities in the field of innovative public procurement in health. The Human Factors Engineering team provides methodological support in the identification and analysis of good practices, applying people-centred approaches.
Project funded by the European Commission, aimed at promoting cooperation between public entities in the field of innovative public procurement in the healthcare sector. IDIVAL's Human Factors Engineering team participated as methodological support, applying people-centred methodologies for the analysis and compilation of good practices in innovation and healthcare technology procurement.
Project INNVAL23/19, focused on the application of Human Factors Engineering to facilitate the implementation of a new analytical extraction process and its associated technology in the Cantabrian Health Service, improving patient safety, efficiency and the experience of healthcare professionals.
Project INNVAL21/14, led by the Digestive Service of the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, focused on monitoring lifestyle changes in patients with metabolic fatty liver disease, with the participation of the Human Factors Engineering team in evaluating the usability of digital solutions applied to clinical monitoring.
Project INNVAL20/02, led by the Mental Illness Research Group, focused on studying the biological and psychological effects of COVID-19 on child neurodevelopment, with the participation of the Human Factors Engineering team in methodological support tasks.
INNVAL20/03 project, focused on analysing the use and suitability of digital tracking and geolocation technologies from a data protection perspective during the pandemic.
Project INNVAL18/16 focused on implementing infusion pumps using strategies based on Human Factors Engineering to reduce latent errors and improve usability in hospital environments.
European project (2020-2022) implementing an integrated home care solution using digital technologies, with the aim of optimising processes, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and improving patient quality and safety.
European project focused on identifying and transferring best practices in healthcare technology innovation. It promotes the participation of users and professionals in the design of more efficient and people-centred healthcare services.
Human Factors Engineering Team
Innovation Area – Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL)
Marina Cano Iglesias
marina.cano@idival.org
or call +34 942.315.515 (Ext. 76224)
Gerardo García Ruiz
gerardo.garcía@idival.org
or call +34 942.315.515 (Ext. 76225)
