The Cognitive Technologies Laboratory (CtL) is located in the Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care of the University of Chicago.

Cognitive technologies…

…are the scientific methods and material used to achieve a practical objective that are intended to aid human cognition, or that achieve their effects through interaction with human cognition. The span of cognitive technologies is great, covering devices from simple slide rules to the most advanced computer systems. The term ‘technologies' does not necessarily imply that these are electronic. Nursing flow sheets that are used to track patient care provided in intensive care unit and schedule ‘boards' that are used to manage operating room procedures are cognitive technologies.

CtL activities include research and education on subjects that include:

• patient safety
• human factors
• human expertise
• technology, especially cognitive technology