It seems doctors have gotten around to recognizing what those in aviation have known for decades: checklists save lives.
The link above directs you to a report from CTV on what they hail “one of the greatest innovations since the stethoscope.” The object of their affection? An operating room checklist which allows doctors and nurses to check “19 killer items” and make sure they are done. Apparently it has led to a 40% decrease in post operation deaths.
What’s more troubling, is the surgeon admitting that not a week goes by without the checklist catching something they had forgotten.
In aviation we have a checklist for pretty much every step of the way:
- Walk-around checklist
- Pre-start up checklist
- Start up checklist
- Post-start up checklist
- Run-up checklist
- Takeoff checklist
- Landing checklist
And possibly many more depending on the type of flight and aircraft.
It makes me uneasy knowing that surgeons are just getting on the checklist bandwaggon.
[Found via The Wings Stayed On.]
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