Enhancing Drug Checking with Human-Centered Design Innovations Optimizing Drug Checking Tools through HFE

Enhancing Drug Checking with Human-Centered Design Innovations Optimizing Drug Checking Tools through HFE | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Enhancing Drug Checking with Human-Centered Design Innovations Optimizing Drug Checking Tools through HFE Annastasia R. Beal, Bryce Batcheller This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6887493/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Accurate, user-friendly drug checking tools are critical in reducing overdose risks, especially in settings where people test substances without professional guidance. This study examined whether a small design change—a 10mg micro scoop—could improve how users interact with fentanyl test kits. During a multi-day music festival, 50 participants were randomly assigned to use one of two test kits: one with the scoop (Version A) and one without it (Version B). Each person used written instructions only and completed a survey afterward. Participants using the scoop-equipped kit achieved 100% accuracy when interpreting results, compared to 84% accuracy in the group without the scoop. They also rated the instructions as clearer—91% versus 73%—and reported feeling more confident and less confused during testing. Many described the scoop as helpful in measuring and mixing the sample. These findings show that even simple, user-centered design improvements can make drug checking more effective and accessible in real-world environments. Improving ease of use may increase the reliability and impact of harm reduction tools in preventing overdose. Subject Classification Codes: Health and Safety (e.g., 62P10, 62M30); Public Health (e.g., 91C44); Addiction and Substance Use (e.g., 92E70); Human Factors and Ergonomics (e.g., 94C37). fentanyl test strips drug checking harm reduction human factors engineering usability study overdose prevention user-centered design substance use testing kits festival safety Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6887493","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":470862442,"identity":"93371333-1fb1-404c-b975-7b9f64f21823","order_by":0,"name":"Annastasia R. 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